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
St Pancras 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, Metropolitan Borough]
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81
ACUTE POLIOMYELITIS AND POLIOENCEPHALITIS.
One case was notified, and subsequently reported to have died from this disease.
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM.
| Form as Desired by Ministry of Health. | Additional Information. | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cases | Vision not Impaired. | Vision Impaired. | Total Blindness. | Deaths. | Incidence Rate per 1,000 Births. | District Nurse in Attendance provided by Borough Council. | Cases treated in Special Hospital provided by L.C.C. | |||
| Notified. | Treated | |||||||||
| At Home. | In Hospital. | |||||||||
| — | — | — | ||||||||
| 1930 | 31‡ | 23 | 30 | — | — | 9.1 | 17 | 6 | ||
| 1929 | 36 | 21 | 15 | 34 | — | 11.4 | 11 | 12 | ||
| 1928 | 32 | 24 | 8 | 32 | — | — | — | 9.8 | 12 | 6 |
| 1927 | 38 | 27 | 11 | 37 | — | 11.5 | 11 | 5 | ||
| 1926 | 40 | 24 | 16 | 34† | — | — | 2* | 11.0 | 9 | 7 |
• Due to other causcs. † Several cases removed to unknown addresses. ‡ Excluding one case, information unobtainable.
In addition to the above, there were 29 cases of Mild Inflammation not notifiable as
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
This disease is an inflammation of the eyes of newly born infants, resulting in a purulent
discharge within 21 days of birth. It has been compulsorily notifiable in London since 1911.
During the first few years the incidence averaged about 5 cases per 1,000 births in St. Pancras
Borough. By 1920 the incidence had reached 11, and this has remained the approximate
figure ever since. The rate for 1930 was the lowest for a considerable period.
The disease does not seem to be as severe now as formerly. The high incidence
can only be explained by the alertness of midwives and doctors, who probably err on the side
of safety by notifying all suspicious cases. It is certainly better to err on this side. Out
of the 45 notifications this year, only four were considered "grave." There were 15 of
" moderate " severity, and the rest were returned as "slight."
The true condition is still a prolific cause of blindness. This is definitely seen in those
countries where Ophthalmia Neonatorum is not regarded with due consideration. In the
past five years, out of 182 cases, including all the doubtful ones, we have had two cases
where the vision was permanently impaired. Without our present protective routine, it is
probable that the incidence would become higher still, that there would be a greater proportion
of true and "grave" cases, and that "Impaired Vision" and "Blindness" would
result more commonly.
There is a marked difference between the Incidence Rate of 144 per 1000 legitimate
births and 24.5 per 1000 illegitimate births.
In 20 cases the mother was giving birth to her first baby. In 26 cases the confinement
took place at home.
ENCEPHALITIS LETHARGICA.
During the year a special investigation was undertaken with reference to the after
effects of this disease. Most of the cases which have been notified in the last 10 years were
visited. Twelve of these old cases were found to require attention, and they were offered
institutional treatment through the London County Council. Seven accepted and were sent,
mostly to Winchmore Hill Hospital, where the special treatment for the after effects of this
disease is undertaken. One old case was found to be mentally deficient, and she has been
sent to an appropriate home.