The leucocytosis of whooping cough, with special reference to diagnosis

• Main Author: Crombie, John Frank
• Published: University of Edinburgh 1906
• Online Access: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.645167

The epidemic of whooping cough investigated began in July, 1905. It was mild in character and the schools being closed, attracted little attention so that it was not till the beginning of September, 1905, that the first cases came under my observation. I was asked to see two cases which happened to be rather more severe than the others--from curiosity I took a blood count, and in both cases was sur- prised to find a high le?slocytosis. On inquiring into the literature of the subject I found it very scanty, and entirely foreign or American. I then decided to investigate the subject further, and the results of my researches are embodied in this thesis. Unfortunately by this time the epidemic had nearly run its course, and I was not able to investigate as many cases in the early stages as I would have wished. As it is well known that a leucocytosis is common among ill nourished and delicate children, I ought to state that all the cases were healthy, strong children with two exceptions (Mos. IV and XIS and all resided in North Berwick, and the country round about. They were children of artisans &c, all well fed and looked after, in contradistinction to the children of the outpatient Department of a hospital, or the slums of large towns from whom I think most of the figures published are obtained.