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"That the provisions of Section 55 of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891, relating to infectious disease, shall apply to
ophthalmia neonatorum."
The order would be subject to approval by the Local Government
Board, and would come into operation on a date to be fixed by the Council
not less than one week after public advertisement of the approved crder.
The Committee recommended the Council that the provisions of Section 55
of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, relating to notification of
infectious diseases, shall apply within the Metropolitan Borough of Poplar
to ophthalmia neonatorum.
On reception of the report, it was moved by Mr. Alderman A. E.
Thorp, seconded and resolved—
"That the attention of the Public Health and Housing
Committee be called to the following extract from their report on
ophthalmia neonatorum, viz.: —
"By Rules E. 18 and 19 (5) of the Rules framed by the
Central Midwives Board under Section 31 of the Midwives'
Act, 1902 (2 Edw. 7, c. 17), at the Council Chamber,
Whitehall, on 24th April, 1907, a midwife has to request
the husband or nearest relative or friend to obtain medical
help, and the midwife is also required by E. 20 and 21, to
send notice to the local supervising authority, which in
London is the London County Council."
and that the Committee be asked to consider and report as to the
advisability of making it obligatory on the part of midwives, at the
same time that they inform the London County Council to also
inform the Medical Officer of Health, instead of making ophthalmia
neonatorum a notifiable disease."
At a meeting of the Council on the 7th July, it was moved by
Mr. Councillor A. H. Warren, and seconded—
"That the recommendation of the Committee be adopted."
After debate:
Amendment moved by Mr. Councillor G. Lansbury, and seconded—
"That the recommendation be referred back to the Committee."
Amendment put and declared carried.
Resolved accordingly.