London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Holborn 1928
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Holborn Borough]
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109
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
During the year 10 cases of ophthalmia neonatorum were brought to our
notice, 8 of which were notified in pursuance of the Public Health (Ophthalmia
Neonatorum) Regulations, 1926 and 1928; 4 of the notifications were from
doctors in private practice; 1 from the Medical Officer of a. hospital, and 3 from
the Medical Officer of the Council's Maternity and Child Welfare Centre.
In 2 cases notification in accordance with the Regulations were not received;
informaition respecting these came from the London County Council.
Unless each case is notified to the local Medical Officer of Health, the public
will be ignorant of the real extent of the disease; the whole of the cases cannot bo
followed up to ascertain the amount of permanent damage done to the eyesight.
Eight Cases Notified in Accordance with the Public Health (Ophthalmia Neonatorum) Regulations,
1926 & 1928.
| Case Number. | Age when Notified. | Age at Onset. | By whom Notified. | Type of Disease on Health Visitor's first visit. | Where Treated. | Medical Attendance and Nursing. | Result. | Birth Notified by. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27 days | 4 days | Doctor M. and C. W. Centre | Very slight (both eyes) | Home | Out-Patient, Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital, District Nurses | Cured | Extern Department, Hospital |
| 2 | 21 days | 21 days | Doctor M. and c. W. Centre, | Very slight (both eyes) | Home | Minor Ailments Clinic, District Nurses | Cared | Intern Midwifery Department, Hospital |
| 3 | 4 days | 3 days | Doctor (Private Practice) | Moderate (both eyes) | Home, later St.Margaret's Hospital | Private Doctor—later In-patient, St. Margaret's Hospital | Cured | Midwife |
| 4 | 12 days | 7 days | Doctor (Hospital) | Slight (one eye) | Home | Doctor in charge of case, and Out-patient. Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital. District Nurses | Cured | Midwife |
| 5 | 7 days | 4 days | Doctor (Private Practice) | Moderate (one eye) | Home | Doctor in charge of case, and Out-patient, Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital, District Nurses | Cured | Midwife |