Richard John Sowersby's story

In 1948, two days after his first birthday, Richard was admitted to hospital with pneumococcal meningitis.

His mother had been given £100 as a 21st birthday present by her parents and she spent it all on getting a newly developed drug from America to treat him. It had to be collected from London by the police and taken to the hospital, but doctors informed her that without it Richard would have died.

Taken to Booker Isolation Hospital near High Wycombe 16/03/48.

Given a lumbar puncture. Pneumococcal meningitis.

Five days later a relapse. Given penicillin.

Five days later another relapse. Called in Dr Wilcox from Windsor.

Given a new drug streptomycin.

Came home first week in April.

During first year had all injections for mumps, measles, polio.

During first six years you had measles, mumps, chicken pox.

Had eyes operated on by Dr Purvis at Oxford. Aged seven years.

Deafness caused by streptomycin.

Grandad Palmer with Roy Caper discovered streptomycin caused deafness.

When this drug came to the UK a police car went from Uxbridge to London and from Uxbridge Marlow Police took it to the hospital.

I was asked if I would give permission to use it. I said “yes”.

I think you are my wonder boy.

Richard John Sowersby
May 2013