Meningococcemia is a rare blood disease that has been compared to leukemia. It is also closely related to the more common spinal meningitis. My e-book looks at cases of meningococcemia from the 1950s, when there was an outbreak among soldiers at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Transmitted through secretions of the upper respiratory tract, the disease is also spread through kissing and shared drinks. With its rapid onset, an otherwise healthy appearing person can die from meningococcemia within twelve hours.