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72
Puerperal Pyrexia.
Since 1st October, 1926, notification is compulsory in the case of
any woman who, within 21 days subsequent to confinement, develops
a temperature of 100.4° F. where such temperature continues for, or
recurs within, a period of 24 hours irrespective of the cause. The
notifications received have been as follows :—
Average
1926 (part) 1927 1928 1929 1930-34 1935 1936 1937 1938
Cases 5 16 12 6 15 9 10 22 25
Of the 25 cases notified, 18 were either in hospital prior to confinement
or admitted thereafter. The conditions found included Breast
Abscess, Albuminuria, Eclampsia, Pyelitis, Retained Placenta,
Toxaemia. No deaths occurred.
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.

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,
the St. John's Church Nurse and the St. John's Nurses for a nurse to
visit and carry out the treatment prescribed.