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30
Malaria.
Two cases of malaria were notified and the diagnosis confirmed.
One patient contracted the disease while serving with
H.M. Forces abroad, and in the other case the disease was
induced for therapeutic purposes.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
There were nine cases notified in 1948, all of which were
followed up and kept under observation until recovery.

Ophthalmia Neonatorum is no longer one of the most
frequent causes of blindness. This is due to the great improvement
in treatment and the introduction of penicillin.
Puerperal Fever and Pyrexia.
Under the provisions of Section 50 of the London County
Council (General Powers) Act, 1948, puerperal fever ceased to
be notifiable in London in July, 1948. The effect of this
change was that the County of London was brought into line
with the rest of the country. Puerperal pyrexia, however,
remains notifiable. The definition of puerperal pyrexia is any
febrile condition occurring in a woman within 21 days after
childbirth or miscarriage in which a temperature of 100.4 degrees
Fahrenheit has been sustained for 24 hours. The Medical
Practitioners practising within the Borough were informed
accordingly.
Fifteen cases of puerperal pyrexia and two cases of puerperal
fever were notified. Fourteen of these cases were treated
in hospital. There were no deaths among the notified cases.
The methods adopted to prevent the occurrence of puerperal
sepsis and the treatment of septic conditions by the sulphonamides
and penicillin has resulted in a substantial decline in the
mortality from this cause.