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44
PUERPERAL FEVER.
Eight cases of this complication of childbirth were
reported during the year. Four of the patients were
treated in the Eastern Hospital, two in the London
Hospital, one in Bethnal Green Hospital, and the
remaining case was nursed at home. There were two
deaths from the disease.
On the 1st October new regulations came into
force, making Puerperal Pyrexia notifiable. Up to
the end of the year 9 cases were notified under this
designation. Two of these cases were treated in the
City of London Maternity Hospital, one in the
Mothers' Hospital, Clapton, one in the Bethnal Green
Hospital and the remainder at home.
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM.
Fifty cases of purulent eye-discharge in the
new-born were notified, all by doctors. In every case
the condition was cured without any apparent impairment
of vision. Twelve cases received nursing attention
at home from the Shoreditch and Bethnal Green
District Nursing Association, the Borough Council
paying part of the cost: 222 visits were paid by nurses
of the Association.
Very special attention is given to this serious
ailment. Every case is very carefully watched by the
Health Visitor and her reports most thoroughly scrutinized,
the object being the prevention of any risk of
blindness resulting.
In addition to the foregoing formal notifications
of Ophthalmia Neonatorum, 47 reports were received
from Medical Officers of the London County Council
concerning new born babies suffering from inflammation
of the eyes. These cases were also visited by
the Health Visitors.