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hospital for treatment. There was one death from this cause during
the year. The Council provides anti-streptococcic serum for prophylactic
or treatment purposes free of charge to private medical
practitioners. One request was received in 1936 for a supply of
this serum.
Puerperal Pyrexia.
This condition is defined as any febrile condition (other than a
condition which is required to be notified as puerperal fever)
occurring in a woman within 21 days after childbirth or miscarriage
in which a temperature of 100-4° Fall, or more has been sustained
during a period of 24 hours, or has recurred during that period.
The number of cases of Puerperal Pyrexia notified during
1936 was 15. With one exception all these cases were reported from
hospital, the remaining patient being subsequently removed to
hospital for treatment. None of the notified cases proved fatal.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
This disease is characterised by an inflammation of the eyes of
a newly-born infant resulting in a purulent discharge. The
number of notified cases of this disease during 1936 was 13. Immediately
on the receipt of a notification of a patient to be nursed
at home, a Health Visitor visits the address for the purpose of
ensuring that the child receives proper treatment and to offer the
assistance of the Council's Home Nursing Scheme in cases where
such services are deemed to be necessary. Visits to the patient
are continued daily until the child is considered to be well
on the way to recovery. Notification of this disease and the
supervision of affected infants has been accompanied by almost
total avoidance of blindness following Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
In addition to the notified cases 35 cases of slight discharge from
the eyes of infants came to the knowledge of the Public Health
Department and received attention. During 1936, 568 visits were
paid by the nurses of the District Nursing Associations in the
Borough to 30 patients suffering from discharging eyes. The
following table gives particulars of the notified cases in 1936 and
the result of the treatment of these patients.
Cases Treated.
Vision.
No. of
Cases
Notified.
No. of
Deaths.
Unimpaired.
Impaired.
Total
Blindness.
At
Home.
In
Hospital.
13
-
-
10*
3
-
12*
* One case moved from the district, vision believed unimpaired.