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41
Whooping Cough.
There were 34 cases of Whooping Cough admitted and 1
death occurred amongst these, being complicated by BronchoPneumonia.
There was a decrease of 28 cases on 1941.
Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.
There were 21 cases of Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis, and of
these only in 12 cases was the diagnosis confirmed.
4 were cases of influenza,
1 was a case of sunstroke,
1 was a case of tonsillitis,
1 was a cellulitis of eye,
1 was a case of constipation.
There were 4 deaths amongst them.
The disease was of average severity, but in the cases
admitted early the response to treatment was good.
Of the four fatal cases, one drifted on to the chronic stage
with a marked general wasting; two were admitted late in the
disease; and one had a severe patubrial rash on admission.
The treatment consisted in lumbar puncture on admission
and giving of sulphapyridine in doses of 2 grms. repeated in four
hours' time, then 1 grm. was given four-hourly. This was continued
for 4 to 5 days.
In the case of children half the adult dose was given, whilst
in those cases that were sick after giving the drug, the soluble
form in doses of 2.5 cc. was given by intra-muscular injection.
In addition, three cases were given meningococcus anti-toxin in
20-30 cc. doses.
The response to this treament was very good, the temperature
falling within 24 hours to normal and the patients becoming
more rational and quieter.
No ill-effects were observed from giving sulphapyridine
except for some cyanosis and repeated vomiting in those cases
who could not tolerate the M.B.693 given by mouth.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
Five cases were admitted, but they proved to be cases of
simple ophthalmia.