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The striking difference which appears in regard to the incidence of
ophthalmia neonatorum in the poor-class practice of the medical students
from that in the practice of doctors and midwives, gives support to the view
that the instillation of silver nitrate drops into the eyes of the newly-born is
a powerful preventative of this disease. (The figures might also be explained,
of course, on the assumption that cases amongst the medical students' patients
are not notified, but there is no reason for assuming that this is so; indeed
the hospital authorities state that they do not get any cases of ophthalmia in
their practice, and attribute the fact to the use of the silver nitrate).
Each case was visited by the health visitor, Miss Smith, who made enquiries
and, where necessary, took steps, often in consultation with the doctor in
charge of the case, to ensure that the baby's eyes received adequate attention.
The 27 cases were treated as follows:—
By private Doctor, nursing being done by members of the family
(including the four cases not formally notified) 13
,, ,, ,, Visiting Nurse 2
At first by private Doctors, and afterwards referred to Hospital 3
(Viz. : - Central London Ophthalmic Hospital, North-West
London Hospital, and Royal Westminster Ophthalmic
Dispensary : nursing done at home by members of family
in 2 cases, and by Visiting Nurse in 1 case).
By Central London Ophthalmic Hospital, nursing being done
by members of family 2
,, University College Hospital, nursing being done by Visiting
Nurse 1
,, London Temperance Hospital, nursing being done by
Visiting Nurse 1
Admitted to Highgate Infirmary 1
Treated in Lying-in Ward of Workhouse 2
Treated in Queen Charlotte's Lying-in Hospital 2
27
The results of the treatment of the cases were very satisfactory, as will be
from the following figures :—
Complete recovery 23
Sight damaged, but improving 1
Blindness 0
Cases lost trace of 3
27