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18
In the Borough of Poplar, upon receipt of a notification, the case
is immediately visited by one of the Health Visitors and is kept under
constant observation, and, if necessary, the services of a nurse are
procured from one of the Nursing Associations working within the
Borough.
When it is borne in mind that blindness and damage to the eyes
can be prevented by the simplest prophylatic care, the continued
blindness of babies in a civilised community becomes a crime. (See
Annual Report, 1910, pages 19-33.)
In 1915, two cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum were admitted into
hospital, and 13 attended as out-patients, the remainder were treated
privately. A nurse was required in 5 cases ; in 1916 13 attended
Hospitals as out-patients, the remainder were treated privately. A
nurse was required in 14 cases.
“If a person over the age of 16 years who has the custody, charge
or care of any child or young person causes such child to be ill-treated
or neglected in a manner likely to cause such child unnecessary suffering
to his health (including injury or loss of sight) that person shall be
guilty of a misdemeanour.”—(Extract from Children's Act, 1908.)
Year.
No. of cases
notified.
Blind
both eyes.
Blind
one eye.
Slight
damage.
1911 (9 mos.) 43 2 — 1
191 2 34 — 1 —
191 3 46 — — —
191 4 75 — — 1
191 5 64 — 1 —
191 6 60 — — —
Total 322 2 2 2
The number of births during the period was approximately 29,000.
It was estimated at the time of the Medical Officer of Health's Special
Report in 1910 that 40 per cent, of the blindness in children in the
London County Council's Schools was due to Ophthalmia Neonatorum.