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The fifth child, a girl aged four years, received 10 c.c. ot measles serum on the fourth
day of exposure. Twelve days later symptoms of measles appeared. The abortive character
of the attack from which the child suffered is noteworthy—a trivial catarrh, of some twentyfour
hours duration, was succeeded by a flutter of temperature to 100 degrees F., which
fell to normal within twenty-four hours. There were very few Kopliks spots, and the
exanthem consisted of a scanty crop of small pink macules on the trunk and proximal parts
of the limbs. No complications ensued.
Summary.
Of 13 susceptible children from 1 to 13 years of age exposed to infection with the
measles virus, 11 escaped infection subsequent to passive immunisation with adult measles
serum, whilst two developed modified forms of the disease.
The 11 children who escaped infection received their prophylactic injection of serum
on, or before, the third day of exposure.
Of the children who developed very mild attacks of measles, one did not receive
the injection of 10 c.c. of measles serum until the fourth day of exposure, whilst the other
received the serum as late as the eighth day of exposure.
Conclusions.
The results obtained with the Sero-Prophylaxis of measles have been extremely
satisfactory.
In Hospitals and other institutions for children it is of the greatest importance to
check an outbreak of measles, and Sera-Prophylaxis by rendering exposed susceptible
children completely immune, is the most effective method of controlling the disease.
A. L. K. RANKIN.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
Ten cases of ophthalmia neonatorum were notified during 1938. Seven of these were
non-residents notified from the West Middlesex Hospital. Of the remaining cases two were
treated at home and the other at St. Margaret's Hospital by arrangement with London County
Council. All made a complete recovery with no impairment of vision.
Puerperal Pyrexia.
Sixty-six cases of puerperal pyrexia were notified. Fifty-seven cases, including 32 nonresidents,
were notified from West Middlesex County Hospital. Of the other 9 cases 3 were
treated at Queen Charlotte's Hospital, 1 at St. Thomas's Hospital, 2 at West Middlesex Hospital
and 3 were treated at home.
A small outbreak of puerperal pyrexia occurred in a nursing home during the month of
June. It was dealt with by Dr. Roberts who submits the following report:—
Three cases of puerperal pyrexia occurred in a nursing home between June 6th and
June 25th. The cases were of sufficient severity tc require removal to hospital. The home
is registered to take seven maternity cases and ten other cases, has a small operating theatre,
is adequately equipped and satisfactorily staffed and managed. The nurses at this home
do not act as midwives. Practically all midwifery in the home is done by medical practitioners.
Any other midwifery is undertaken by the proprietress.
The history of the three cases is as follows:—
Mrs. " A".
Delivered by Dr. "Z" On 3.6.38; forceps applied; manual removal of placenta; two
perineal sutures.
Onset of pyrexia 6.6.38.
Consultation with consulting obstetrician 14.6.38.
Removed to Isolation Block, Queen Charlotte's Hospital, 15.6.38.
Notification dated 14.6.38.
Notification received at Public Health Department 15.6.38.
Mrs. "B".
Delivered by Dr. "Y" 16.6.38; forceps applied; no perineal tear.
Onset of pyrexia 22.6.38.
Consultation with consultant obstetrician and vaginal smear taken 22.6.38.
Removed to St. Thomas's Hospital 24.6.38.
Notification dated 25.6.38.
Notification received at Public Health Department 27.6.38.
This notification was not made on the special form for such cases. No date of
confinement was given and the home address of the patient given instead of the place of
delivery. It was therefore not connected up with the Nursing Home till two days later
when a routine visit re puerperal pyrexia was made.
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