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theria, compared with thirty-two during 1946. Of these eight patients
five came from the Wimbledon area. One patient was found to be a
diphtheria carrier. In six of the remaining seven cases the diagnosis
of diphtheria was confirmed. In only one case was there any history
of immunisation, and this patient had only received one immunising
injection against diphtheria. Five of the eight patients were adults.
Cerebrospinal Fever.
Eleven patients, ten of them from the Wimbledon area, were admitted
as cerebro-spinal fever. In only four cases was the diagnosis
confirmed. One of these patients, a man aged 59 years, admitted from
the Wimbledon Hospital, was found to be a severe case of pneumococcal
meningitis. This patient died after two days.
Puerperal Pyrexia.
All three patients notified as suffering from puerperal pyrexia
in Wimbledon were removed to the Infectious Diseases Hospital, with
their babies, for treatment. Two of these patients were found to be
suffering from puerperal sepsis and the other from a B. coli infection.
All the patients made complete recoveries.
G astro-Enteritis.
Three babies were admitted to the Hospital with gastro-enteritis.
One of these, a child aged 11 weeks, admitted from Kingston County
Hospital, was very ill on admission and died after two days
Measles.
Twenty-seven cases of measles were admitted to the Hospital
during the year and were diagnosed as follows: —
Uncomplicated measles 18
Measles and pneumonia 6
Measles and bronchitis 1
Measles and croup 1
Measles and pneumococcal meningitis 1
One of these patients, a child, aged 15 months, was admitted as
an emergency from the Merton and Morden area. This child, who
was suffering from measles, had accidentally swallowed a number of
laxative tablets. The Council's Paediatrician was called in immediately,
but the child died within a few hours.
Scarlet Fever.
Fifty-four patients were admitted as cases of scarlet fever, thirtyfour
of them from the Wimbledon area.
One of these cases was finally diagnosed as rubella, and in one
other case the diagnosis was unconfirmed. One case was complicated
by ethmoiditis, and Mr. Cann, the Ear, Nose and Throat consultant
was called in.
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