This boy was the picture of health. To quote the attending physician, he was “a splendid specimen” physically. On the night of Sept. 10 he had a bad headache. The next morning at six was no better. At ten he was found by his mother unconscious. He was very constipated and slightly nauseated. Vomited once. Examination of urine showed indican in considerable quantities. The initial diagnosis was acute indigestion. Blood examined and found normal except for an excess of white corpuscles, explained as a natural sequence of vaccination. Unconsciousness continued. On Sept. 13 lumbar puncture made. Fluid from spinal cord not under pressure; perfectly transparent, subject to microscopic and culture tests; proved absolutely sterile. Case diagnosed as infantile paralysis of the cerebral type. Temperature very high, ranging from 104 to 106 rectal. About Sept. 14 throat became paralyzed. For five days could not swallow a drop. Food administered through rectum; medicine hypodermically. Paralysis of right leg and arm appeared about Sept. 17. Lungs filled with thick mucus. Respiration labored. Slight cyanosis. Small amount of oxygen administered continually after Sept. 16. Death occurred at 10:10 P.M. on Sept. 21 from paralysis of respiratory muscles. Temperature about 107 at death. Microscopic examination of spinal cord after death confirmed diagnosis as infantile paralysis.
CASE No. 27
Ruth A. Minnick
RUTH A. MINNICK, daughter of S. V. Minnick, R. D. No. 2, Carthage, N. Y.
Age 10½.
Vaccinated Sept. 22.
Commenced to complain Oct. 2,—10 days from vaccination.
Died Oct. 10.
Diagnosis, “Infantile Paralysis.”