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15
M. S. lived at Chigwell Hill, and was taken ill on Friday, March 26th, with
pains in the head and body. She was seen by a doctor on March 28th, and was
advised to go into the Infirmary, but she refused. She became worse, and on Saturday
April 3rd, she was seen by another doctor who gave her an order for her admission
into the Infirmary. She still refused to be removed into the Infirmary, but on
Tuesday, April 6th, she was so ill that the doctor insisted on her removal to the
Infirmary. On admission to the Infirmary, on April 6th, she had a temperature
of 103°, a pulse of 116, and respirations 26. The patient was stated to be dirty
on admission, but the attendant who bathed her reported that no lice or fleas were
noticed. There was no rash on the chest or forearms, but a few flea bites were
observed. In the evening the temperature was 103.8°, and the pulse was 115.
On April 7th the temperature in the morning was 101.8°, and 103.2° in the
evening. There was no rash on the body.
On April 8th the patient complained of severe headache, she was slightly
delirious during the night. The temperature in the morning was 101.4°, and 102.6°
in the evening. Her body was covered with a blotchy mulberry-like rash, but the
face was quite free. The rash was on the front of the chest and abdomen, but more
marked towards the sides, and especially marked on the back of the body. It was
also apparent on the upper arms and shoulders, thighs and legs, and back of feet.
The rash was definitely petechial in character. There was no crepitations to be
heard in the lungs. The urine was acid, sp. gr. 1010, and a trace of albumen was
found.
M. S. was an old friend of E. C. and lived in the same street for some years.
She called to see E. C. when J. C.'s dead body had been taken home from the
Infirmary, and probably called to see E. C. when she was ill.
M. S.'s husband slept with the patient up to, and including April 5th. There
were also in the same house a son and daughter-in-law, two grandchildren and
three other lodgers. These were kept under observation and the premises were
disinfected.
M. S.'s husband, J. S., was taken ill and was removed to St. George's Infirmary
on May 1st. His temperature was 103°, his pulse 100, and respirations were 24.
There were no signs of Pneumonia or Bronchitis. His clothes were clean and
apparently were free from vermin. His body was dirty, and it was only after bathing
that a "dusky measley" rash was found about the shoulders, forearms and thighs—
especially on the inner sides—and slightly about the trunk. It was not the rash
of Measles. The legs and feet were quite free from spots. The rash was similar
to that on his late wife. It was stated he had been ill three days before he was
admitted to the Infirmary.
On May 2nd, he became worse, his pulse was 120, and respirations were 34.
There was muttering delirium. The rash was more marked and now appeared
on the legs, but not on the feet.