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Public Health (Ophthalmia Neonatorum) Regulations, 1926.
These Regulations, dated 31st July, 1926, came into force on the
1st October.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum is a purulent discharge from the eyes of
an infant commencing within 21 days of its birth.
As in the case of the Puerperal Fever and Puerperal Pyrexia Regulations,
copies of the Regulations were sent to all general practitioners.
Under the provisions of these Regulations, the Medical Officer of
Health has to inform the County Medical Officer within 24 hours of the
receipt of a notification. Hitherto, any certified midwife in attendance
has had to notify a case, but in future this duty will rest entirely with
the medical practitioner; in this way overlapping will be avoided. The
Medical Officer of Health has to inform the Metropolitan Asylums
Board of every case notified, within 12 hours from the receipt of
the notification. The local authority has to see that cases are visited
and arrangements are made for home nursing or hospital treatment
(this is already done).
There are other matters of importance in the Regulations, the objects
of which are to make it impossible, as far as can be foreseen, for an
infant to suffer through any slip or overlook.
Particulars as to cases notified are given on another page.
Pressing Needs.
One is fully cognisant of the financial stringency of the times, but
here are three "felt wants." Any citizen who would like to do a great
kindness could do so by helping to establish : —
1. A Mothers' Home.
This is needed for difficult breast feeding cases. At present we
do one breast feed test, but such a Home would enable us to
arrange for a 24 hours test and so help us to arrive at a better
judgment. The present test is made at 9 a.m. in the Health
Visitors' Office at the Town Hall.
2. Hostel for Babies.
At present when mothers go into hospital for an operation or into
a maternity home or. hospital, there is difficulty. Sometimes
toddlers are admitted to Sidcup Homes.
The want of a Hostel is a real hardship and its supply would
be a relief and settle a problem which many husbands have to face.