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73
Of the 22 cases notified, 21 had been confined in hospital and 1 at
home. 1 death occurred.
The history given was that the patient had been in indifferent
health all through the pregnancy. Spontaneous delivery was followed
by severe post partum hæmorrhage, which caused her to be removed
to hospital. Within 2½ hours of her arrival blood transfusion was
carried out. The following day she appeared better, but complained
of severe backache, and there was tenderness in both loins. Symptoms
of uraemia developed and she died upon the fourth day after confinement.
The post-mortem examination showed anaemia and acute
inflammation and infarction of kidneys.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
As from the 1st October, 1926, notification to the Medical Officer of
Health of such cases became wholly the responsibility of the doctor in
attendance, the midwife being required to call in medical assistance
and to take such action as is laid down by the Central Midwives Board.
The following is a statement of notifications received:—
Average
1926 (part) 1927 1928 1929 1930-34 1935 1936 1937
Cases ... 14 9 18 14 17 11 11 5
The following is a statement of the results of treatment in respect
of the cases notified in 1937:-
Vision Vision Since died
Notified Treated Totalother
At home In hospital paired paired blindness Causes
5 4 1 5 — — —
Apart from true cases of Ophthalmia, midwives have to report cases
of inflammation of the eye, and these, together with cases of Ophthalmia,
are kept under observation by the Health Visitors. The Borough
Council has made arrangements with certain local nursing organisations,
viz., the Ranyard Nursing Association, the Queen's Nurses, Rotherhithe,
and the St. John's Nurses for a nurse to visit and carry out the treatment
prescribed.
Where, for any reason, hospital in-patient treatment is deemed
advisable, facilities are provided at St. Margaret's Hospital, Kentish
Town.