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places for the reception of the sick, and for that purpose
may—
Themselves build such hospitals or places of reception;
or
Contract for the use of any such hospital or part of
a hospital or place of reception; or
Enter into any agreement with any persons having
the management of any hospital, for the reception
of the sick inhabitants of their district, on
payment of such annual or other sum as may
be agreed on.
Two or more local authorities may combine in providing
a common hospital.
Section 133.
Any local authority may, with the sanction of the
Local Government Board, themselves provide or contract
with any person to provide a temporary supply of
medicine and medical assistance for the poorer inhabitants
of their district.
Definition of Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
According to the regulations, the expression "Ophthalmia
Neonatorum" means a purulent discharge from the
eyes of an infant, commencing within twenty-one days from
the date of its birth.
Effects of Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
The results of Ophthalmia Neonatorum are well summarised
in a report of the Local Government Board for
Scotland on the Incidence of Ophthalmia Neonatorum in
Scotland, as follows:—
(1) In Great Britain there are from seven to eight
hundred blind persons per million of the population;