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9
[1924
REPORT ON MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE WORK.
Education Propaganda.—During the year the booklet on Infant Care, and
intimation of the facilities provided at the Health Department and the Voluntary
Welfare Centres, were circulated by post to homes from which a notification of
birth was received. This method has been used since the adoption of the
Notification of Births Act.
As has been usual in recent years, a special effort was made in October
designated "Health and Baby Week" to call special attention to infant care as
well as the general health of the community. On Thursday, October 9th, in the
afternoon, Lady Crosfield presided over a meeting for women only. An instructive
film entitled "The Gift of Life" was shown, and Dr. Dorothy Logan
delivered a brief lecture. In the evening, under the presidency of The Mayor,
Dr. I. Feldman gave an address, and two impressive films were shown, "The
Shadow" and "The Public Health Twins." For the films shown during this
week the department was indebted to the National Council for Combating
Venereal Disease. During the whole week the Council Chamber was used for a
Health Exhibition, and the Welfare Centres co-operated by lending exhibits of
infant clothing. The film "Waste" was shown on the afternoon of October
10th, under the Presidency of Mrs. Kate Truelove, the speaker being the Medical
Officer of Health. In the evening of the same day, Alderman Yorley, J.P., in the
Chair ,the film "The End of the Road" was shown, and Mr. E. B. Turner,
F.R.C.S., very kindly spoke to a large audience.
In addition to the Exhibition and Cinema at the Town Hall, the Welfare
Centres had local exhibitions and lectures—the North Centre on October 15th
from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; the South Centre on October 17th; the East Islington
Centre had a Lantern Lecture at Hurlock Street Branch on the evening of
October 16th: "Our Teeth, and How to Take Care of Them," by Sir Frank
Collyer, under the Presidency of Dr. E. S. Tate. The West Centre had a Lantern
Lecture in All Saints' Hall, by Dr. C. W. Saleeby, F.R.S.E., under the
Presidency of Dr. Marion Vaughan.
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM AND OPHTHALMIA.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum is an inflammatory disease with purulent discharge
occurring in the eyes of infants within three weeks of birth.
77 cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum were notified.
41 cases of Ophthalmia were reported by the London County Council.
32 out of the 77 cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum were attended at birth by
midwives.

Of the 120 cases investigated, both of the infants' eyes were affected in 97
instances, whilst in 12 the right eye was involved and in 11 the left.