London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Lambeth 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lambeth Borough]
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The following details will indicate the success of the Council's scheme during the past few years in so far as ophthalmia neonatorum the commonest cause of blindness in this country—is concerned:—
| Year | Cases notified | Treated At home In hospital | Vision impaired | Total blindness | Deaths | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1933 | 30 | 24 | 6 | nil | nil | 2 |
| 1934 | 33 | 25 | 8 | nil | nil | nil |
| 1935 | 41 | 36 | 5 | nil | nil | nil |
| 1936 | 54 | 51 | 3 | nil | nil | nil |
By arrangement with the London County Council, all cases
requiring in-patient treatment are admitted, with or without the
mother, according to circumstances, to St. Margaret's Hospital.
In so far as children under school age are concerned, the Council
will recall that extensive arrangements have been concluded with
the voluntary hospitals in Lambeth for the treatment of all eye
cases discovered at the toddlers' clinics and no alteration is needed
now to improve the services provided by the Council (Minutes,
page 244).
The treatment of the eyes of newly-born infants by midwives is a
matter, of course, entirely for the County Council, who are the local
supervising authority, but every care is taken at the Council's
maternity home to insure the proper cleansing of every baby's
eyes at birth.
We agree with the view expressed by the Medical Officer of Health
and are of opinion that, so far as the Council are concerned therein,
no action is required to be taken on the matters referred to by the
Ministry, but we submit this report for the information of the
Council.
Received.