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46
Post partum hœmorrhage 1
Placenta prævia 1
Cerebral abscess 1
Ruptured uterus 1
Pleuro-pneumonia 1
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM.
Inflammation of the eyes of new-born babies is
very often caused by an infective microbe derived from
the mother at birth. In past years this disease has
been a frequent cause of blindness, but if taken in time
and properly treated a good result may be expected.
The disease was made compulsorily notifiable by
order of the London County Council, on March 13th,
1911, and on March 17th a meeting of Metropolitan
Health Officers, convened by Sir Shirley Murphy, was
held at 1, Upper Montagu Street, for the purpose of
discussing the steps advisable to be taken in dealing
with reported cases. Sir Shirley informed the meeting
that up to the present time a general instruction had
been given to the Midwives under the control of the
London County Council to report all cases of inflammation
of the eyes in new-born infants, no matter how
slight. We were given to understand that these cases
were visited by one of the Inspectors of midwives
(medical women) and such instructions given as were
necessary. Under the new order all cases of ophthalmia
in new born infants whether attended by doctors or
midwives would now be compulsorily notified to the
Medical Officer of the District. It is well known to
Medical men that severe cases of the disease require