Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 18 January 1941
Baby’s Death
Vaccination Question at Wombwell
Died In Father’s Arms
A statement that death from meningitis could be very rapid was made by Professor P. L. Sutherland, the West Riding County Council pathologist, at the inquest at Wombwell on Saturday, on Christine Thorpe seven-months-old child of George Thorpe, forgeman, 17, Garden Grove Hemingfield. The child died in the father’s arms on Thursday morning, while the mother was fetching doctor. It transpired that the child, had been vaccinated a few days earlier but Dr. Sutherland said there was no association between this and the child’s death.
The mother, Ivy Thorpe, said; Christine had been a healthy child and previously they had had no trouble with her. She was vaccinated on Thursday, January 2nd. During Wednesday night of last week she’ noticed that the child was fretful, but she did not appear to be ill. Her husband was up twice to the child during the night. At six o’clock the following morning she appeared to be much worse and died while witness was fetching a doctor.
In reply to Dr. Sutherland, witness said there was twitching and convulsions and the child was very sick. As soon as the doctor arrived he said it was hopeless.
Dr. P. L. Sutherland said the vaccination mark was red, but healed, and the underlying tissue was quite healthy.
The Coroner (Mr. C. J. Haworth): Did that affect the death in any way? —No.
Dr. Sutherland said the cause of death was meningitis — inflammation of the brain. It was due to some organism, but none of the organisms which usually caused meningitis. He did not think the parents could have done anything about it.
The Coroner remarked about other similar cases and Dr. Sutherland said he had heard of two others.
The mother: It is very strange we never had any signs of it until that night: also that the vaccination was ,at its height that night. Why had we not noticed anything before. It was only a case of two or three hours.
Dr. Sutherland said those cases could be of very rapid development.
The Coroner: I suppose they could die of meningitis soon after the first onset?
Dr. Sutherland: Yes, a matter of two or three hours
The mother said the doctor had not seen the child since the vaccination, but was due to visit that night.
In reply to Dr. Sutherland, the father, said the child squinted as he held her in his arms.
The Coroner: The reason I got Dr. Sutherland was to see whether there was any association between the vaccination and the child’s death, and he says definitely that there is not. He added, “It is unfortunate that a child dies in this way. but you cannot at the present time suggest any remedy?”
Dr. Sutherland: No. especially in a case like that. It is so rapid. He added that it was an infective condition.
The Coroner remarked that it was a natural death.
The Coroner found that death was due to meningitis—bacterial organism not identified.