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35
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM.
Inflammation of the eyes in the newly-born, to which
a large proportion of blindness is due, was made a compulsorily
notifiable disease in March, 1911. The cases
are also reported by midwives to the Medical Officer of
the London County Council, and in severe cases arrangements
are at once made by the Inspectors under the
Midwives Act for removal to hospital. Cases kept at
home which may require any special treatment are reported
by me to the Fulham and Hammersmith District
Nursing Association, and their nursing is undertaken by
the nurses of that institution. Fifteen cases were notified
in 1911, of which 6 were treated in hospital. All the
cases reported made a complete recovery.
PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS.
The past year has been notable for important developments
in connection with the prevention of pulmonary
tuberculosis. In March, 1911, the Local Government
Board extended the system of notification, previously
limited to cases of pulmonary tuberculosis occurring
amongst the inmates of Poor Law institutions, or amongst
persons under the care of district medical officers, to
cases occurring amongst the in-patients or out-patients at
hospitals, or other similar institutions for the treatment of
the sick, which are supported wholly or partially otherwise
than by the contributions of the patients (or of their
relatives or guardians), and otherwise than from rates
and taxes. In November the Board issued further regulations
completing the system inaugurated in 1908, requiring
every medical practitioner, after January 1st,
1912, to notify every case of pulmonary tuberculosis
occurring in the course of his public or of his private
practice.