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1930]|
10
PUBLIC HEALTH CONGRESS, ROYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL.
As the Council's delegate, the Medical Officer of Health attended the above
Congress. There were over 1,000 delegates appointed by local authorities and
representatives from Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Poland, present. In addition
to the Congress proper, there was a comprehensive exhibition of Machinery,
Vehicles, Material and Equipment in connection with refuse disposal, street
cleansing and other aspects of municipal engineering. The Medical Officer of
Health in a separate report to the Public Health Committee summarised the
deliberations.
REPORT ON MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE WORK.
Municipal Health Visitors.
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM AND OPHTHALMIA-
Ophthalmia Neonatorum is an inflammatory disease with purulent discharge
occurring in the eyes of infants within three weeks of birth.
65 cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum were notified, compared with 69 cases
last year.
87 cases of Ophthalmia were reported by the London County Council and
Health Visitors as against 75 cases during the previous year.
27 out of the 65 cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum were attended at birth by
midwives.

Of the 65 cases investigated, both of the infants' eyes were affected in 44
instances, whilst in 7 the right eye was involved, and in 14 the left.
Treatment.—8 of the 65 Ophthalmia Neonatorum cases were admitted to
St. Margaret's Hospital, 11 being treated at other hospitals.
25 cases were treated at home by private Doctors.
30 cases of inflammatory disease of infants' eyes were nursed by the North
London Nursing Association for the Council at a cost of £30 16s. Od. In 1929
35 cases were nursed at the cost of £38 6s. Od.
Results.—Of the 65 Ophthalmia Neonatorum cases, vision was unimpaired
in all cases.