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111
Ophthalmia neonatorum is one of the most important causes of blindness.
Fortunately, however, as far as we have been able to ascertain, no case coming
to our knowledge last year in the Borough suffered permanent injury in this way.
In two cases reliable information could not be obtained because
the mother of the infant did not return to this Borough, but in the
remaining eight cases there was definite evidence that the patients were
cured. This result was secured by the expenditure of much time and
energy, and incidentally money, by all concerned; the occurrence of most, if
not all, of the cases could have been prevented by a simple procedure. Two or three
years ago the Scottish Board of Health issued a circular to medical practitioners
strongly recommending the installation of silver nitrate solution into the eyes
of newly-born children, and intimating that they will in future require a report
with particulars of treatment from Medical Officers of Health in all cases in
which there occurs loss of vision. In this country the installation has been
recommended with fortunate results by at least several Medical Officers of Health
to those attending childbirths in their areas, but legislation in some form
advocating or requiring its adoption generally is required so that the whole country
may benefit.
Whooping Cough.
Visits were paid to 103 persons suffering from whooping cough. Of these,
82 were notified by doctors; in 12 others the information was derived from the
schools; 3 from parents; 5 from M.A.B., and 1 from a hospital.
Five died, 3 under 1 year and 2 between 1 year and 5 years.
Age.
Thirteen were children under 1 year, sixty were aged 1 to 5 years, and
thirty 5 to 16 years.
Contacts.
(103 enquiries.)

Spread of Infection in Family.
The 103 cases occurred in 77 families. In 56 families 1 case occurred; in
17 families 2 cases occurred, and in 3 families 3 cases occurred; and in 1 family
there were 4 cases.