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Three of the cases proved fatal, but another death occurred in an
unnotified case, the nature of the illness not being recognised during
life.
Advantage was taken to obtain the City Bacteriologist's opinion in
16 cases, in 5 the Widal reaction was reported.
Puerperal Fever.—Six notifications were received, and four deaths
occurred. In one instance in which death occurred, the illness had
not been previously notified and the medical man in attendance was
summoned and fined 20s. and costs at Westminster Police Court.
Unfortunately, a pupil midwife went straight from this case to another
woman, who subsequently developed erysipelas. The County Council,
who supervise midwives, dealt with this part of the affair. Disinfection
was carried out after each case, including the clothing, &c., of those in
attendance.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum..—Notification of this affection became
compulsorily notifiable on 13th March, 1911. Sixteen infants were
notified as suffering from this complaint, and seven other cases
were discovered by the Health Visitor in the course of her work
or intimated by the inspectors of midwives. Twelve were slight
cases, 7 medium and 4 severe. In 13 instances it was the first
confinement, in 5 the second, in 3 the third, in 1 the fourth, and
in 1 the eleventh. Four of the children were illegitimate. Twelve
of the homes were in Victoria Ward (5 cases in two streets), 7 in St.
John's, and 1 each in St. Anne, Regent, Grosvenor and Knightsbridge
Wards. Eleven children were treated at hospitals, 2 as in-patients.
Nineteen were reported to have recovered without permanent impairment
of vision. One had still a slight discharge from the eye on
leaving the district, and the remaining three were improving but died
from other causes. Altogether five of the children died, and in two
cases the mothers also died, one from puerperal fever, the other an
alcoholic subject from bronchitis.
In each instance the Health Visitor has visited at the house daily
or less frequently as the circumstances demanded, and has taken steps
to see that proper medical and nursing attention was secured for the
child.
Ophthalmia in new-born children is the most common cause of
blindness originating in infancy, and is responsible for 36 per cent. of
the children being in the County Council Schools for the Blind. The
virus causing it is introduced within the eyelids at birth, and prompt
treatment is necessary to prevent permanent injury to the eyes. Even
when a medical man is in attendance it cannot be assumed that the
treatment which necessitates very frequent bathing of the eyes will be