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From an analysis of the cases which occurred in the Borough
there was no concentration of cases at any one school, and it would
not appear that schools played any part in the spread of infection.
In only one instance was there more than one case from any one
family.
One child (a boy aged 4 years) was admitted to Hospital with
bulbar poliomyelitis. He became ill 14 days after tonsillectomy.
Fortunately he made a good recovery.
One of the most notable features of the epidemic in Wimbledon,
as elsewhere in the country, was the incidence of the disease in adults
Eleven of the 25 Wimbledon cases occurred in persons over the age
of 15, and these 11 included some of the most severe cases with widespread
paralysis.
The diagnosis of poliomyelitis in cases with paralysis was in most
cases obvious, although the assessment of muscle involvement in
young children was difficult. The diagnosis in those patients without
paralysis was in most cases confirmed by changes in the cerebrospinal
fluid.
Patients with paralysis, however slight, were eventually admitted
to the Rowley Bristow Orthopaedic Hospital for treatment, and those
without paralysis were followed up at the Orthopaedic Clinic held at
the Health Centre. Pelham Road.
Diphtheria.
Five suspected cases of diphtheria were removed to the Infectious
Diseases Hospital during the year.
Two of these patients (adults) were trainees at an Admiralty
Hostel in Wimbledon. One was found to be suffering from clinical
diphtheria, and the other was found to be a diphtheria carrier. Swabs
were taken from all contacts and staff. No further cases occurred at
this Hostel.
•
The diagnosis of diphtheria was confirmed in two of the three
remaining cases which occurred in Wimbledon. One was an adult,
aged 28 years, and -the other a boy, aged 16 years, who had received
one immunising injection against diphtheria.
Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
Five cases of cerebro-spinal fever occurred in Wimbledon during
1947. There was one death from the disease — a woman aged 57
years who was admitted to a London hospital as a suspected case
of food poisoning.
Food Poisoning.
In May, 1947. two cases of food poisoning were notified. Upon
investigation it was found in both cases that the patients' symptoms
had followed the consumption of liver sausage which, although purchased
from different shops, came from the same manufacturer. In
addition, the manager of a local shop reported that several members
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