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Ophthalmia neonatorum is one of the most important- causes of blindness
Fortunately, however, as far as we have been able to ascertain, no case coming
to our knowledge last year in the Borough suffered permanent injury in this way.
One child died in hospital when 11 days old. In one case reliable information
could not be obtained because the mother of the infant did not return to this
Borough, but in the remaining ten cases there was definite evidence that the
patients were cured. This result was secured by the expenditure of much time
and energy, and incidentally money, by all concerned; the occurrence of most, if
not all, of the cases could have been prevented by a simple procedure. A year
or so ago the Scottish Board of Health issued a circular to medical practitioners
strongly recommending the installation of silver nitrate solution into the eyes
of newly-bom children, and intimating that they will in future require a report
with particulars of treatment from Medical Officers of Health in all cases in
which there occurs loss of vision. In this country the installation has been
recommended with fortunate results by at least several Medical Officers of Health
to those attending childbirths in their areas, but legislation in some form
advocating or requiring its adoption generally is required so that the whole country
may benefit.
Whooping Cough.
Visits were paid to 145 persons suffering from whooping cough. Of these,
96 were notified by doctors; in 18 others the information was derived from the
schools; 17 from the Health Visitors; 5 from parents; 7 from M.A.B.; and 2 from
an Infant Welfare Centre.
One died, between 1 year and 5 years.
Age.
Fifteen were children under 1 year, seventy-two were aged 1 to 5 years, and
forty-eight 5 to 16 years.
Contacts.
(145 enquiries.)
Thirty-four had no contacts; 111 had contacts. The number of contacts was
301, of whom 123 were susceptible, 178 already having suffered from an attack.
No. of cases 29 35 12 8 9 2 3 7
and
No. of contacts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
No. of cases 44 14 3 1 2 2 0 2
and
No. of susceptible contacts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Spread of Infection in Family.
The 145 cases occurred in 112 families. In 80 families 1 case occurred; in
22 families 2 cases occurred, and in 7 families 3 cases occurred.
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