View report page

116
Appendix D.
Extract from the Minutes of the Council,
23rd September, 1937.
Prevention of Blindness : Ministry of Health's Circular No. 1621.
We have to report that a circular communication (No. 1621),
dated the 6th August, 1937, has been received from the Ministry of
Health, calling the attention of maternity and child welfare
authorities to the importance of taking all practicable steps to
prevent blindness and impaired sight, and in this connexion
reference is made to the report on the prevention of blindness
which was issued last year by the Standing Committee of the Union
of Counties Associations for the Blind. This report (inter alia)
stresses the importance of a comprehensive and adequate system of
ante-natal supervision, the proper cleansing of a baby's eyes at
birth, the necessity for the speedy treatment of ophthalmia
neonatorum, and the treatment of suitable cases at hospitals. With
regard to children under school age, the Standing Committee
suggest that a critical survey by medical officers of health of the
existing arrangements, especially with regard to the early diagnosis
and treatment of serious eye defects, might be fruitful in its results,
and that the desirability of further measures being taken for the
ascertainment of young children with eye conditions which may
lead to impairment or loss of sight is indicated.
In this latter connexion, the Ministry call attention to the fact
that their circular No. 1550 of the 29th May, 1936 (Minutes, page
1015 et seq.), emphasises the necessity for improving and extending
the Council's arrangements for the supervision of the health of
children under school age, and it is suggested that a further review
thereof should be made in the direction above mentioned.
The Medical Officer of Health has informed us that the Council's
arrangements for ante-natal supervision of expectant mothers, and
for the care of their infants at the welfare centres are so systematic
and thorough that no alteration of the present organisation is
needed.