Type I Pneumococcus Otitis Media

History: A student nurse, aged 20, was admitted to the New Haven Hospital on October I3, I929, with a complaint of "earache". There was no history of exposure to Type I pneumococcus infection. One week before admission she developed a dry, nonproductive cough with an uncomfortable restricted feeling about the chest. There was no sore throat nor history of muscular or joint pains. On the morning of admission the patient was awakened by a severe pain in the left ear. The drum was incised that afternoon and she was admitted to the hospital, and except for slight anorexia there were no other symptoms. She had never had any illness of a similar nature previous to the present admission. There was a history of measles, German measles, and pertussis in early childhood. She had a tonsillectomy performed in I9I6, had influenza in I9I8 and again in I927, and had suffered from asthma with hay-fever in 1925. There was no history of scarlet fever, pneumonia, or diphtheria. The family history was irrelevant.