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76
Report of the Medical Officer of Health (continued).
The following information concerning the diseases:—Puerperal
Fever, Ophthalmia Neonatorum, Measles, Whooping Cough, Diarrhœa
and Enteritis, and Polio-myelitis is asked for by the Ministry of Health
in their Memorandum of February, 1921.
Puerperal Fever.
Three cases of puerperal fever were notified in 1921, as compared
with one in 1920. All were removed to hospital.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
Eight infants were notified, all by medical practitioners. The
right eye only was affected in 2, the left eye only in 2, and both eyes
in 4 babies. The services of a Nurse from the District Nursing Association
were utilised for 6 infants, and no permanent injury resulted from
the disease. The remaining two were hospital cases.
Measles.
This disease is compulsorily notifiable in Hampstead under the
provisions of The Metropolitan Borough of Hampstead (Measles)
Regulations, 1920.
Early in the year now under review a Conference was called by
the London County Council to consider the subject of more effectively
dealing with Measles. At this Conference the importance of trained
nursing assistance being made available in every case was emphasised.
This fact had been already appreciated in Hampstead, where arrangements
have for some time been in operation whereby the trained Nurses
of the District Nursing Associations are available. In view of the
small amount of hospital accommodation available for cases of Measles,
and of the fact that comparatively few children escape attack by
Measles, the value of such nursing facilities is great. Such measures will,
undoubtedly, have an effect upon the mortality rate, but no action that a
Sanitary Authority can take is likely totally to prevent the spread of
Measles, for the disease is of a highly infectious nature in its early
stages, when it resembles a cold, and diagnosis is not easy. With careful
medical and nursing skill, however, the complications following
Measles, that often cause death, may be avoided, or sooner recognised
and combated.
The Borough Council has made arrangements with both Nursing
Associations whereby the services of a fully-trained Nurse may be
obtained free of charge to the parents.