London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

View report page

Deptford 1935

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Deptford, Metropolitan Borough of]

This page requires JavaScript

72
Puerperal Pyrexia.
Since 1st October, 1926, notification is compulsory in the case of
any woman who, within 21 clays subsequent to confinement, develops
a temperature of 100.4° F. where such temperature continues for, or
recurs within, a period of 24 hours irrespective of the cause.

The notifications received have been as follows:—

1926 (part)192719281929193019311932193319341935
Cases51612610:;171715159

* Includes one subsequently notified as Puerperal Fever and dealt with under
that heading.
Of the 9 cases notified, 6 had been confined in hospital and 3 at
home. All the latter were subsequently sent to hospital. One death
occurred.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
As from the 1st October, 1926, notification to the Medical Officer of
Health of such cases became wholly the responsibility of the doctor in
attendance, the midwife being required to call in medical assistance
and to take such action as is laid down by the Central Midwives Board.

The following is a statement of notifications received:—

1926 (part)192719281929193019311932193319341935
Cases149181426211182111

The following is a statement of the results of treatment in respect of the cases notified in 1935:—

NotifiedTreatedVision unimpairedVision impairedTotal blindnessSince died from other Causes
At homeIn hospital
111111---

Apart from true cases of Ophthalmia, midwives have to report cases
of inflammation of the eye, and these, together with cases of Ophthalmia,
are kept under observation by the Health Visitors. The Borough
Council has made arrangements with certain local nursing organisations,
viz., the Ranyard Nursing Association and the Queen's Nurses,
Rotherhithe, for a nurse to visit and carry out the treatment prescribed.
Where, for any reason, hospital in-patient treatment is deemed
advisable, facilities are provided at St. Margaret's Hospital, Kentish
Town.