View report page

34
Special facilities both for nursing and medical treatment have been
arranged by the Metropolitan Asylums Board, whereby cases of puerperal
fever will be concentrated, as far as possible, in three of their
Institutions, namely, the Eastern Hospital, Homerton, the North Western
Hospital, Hampstead, and the South Western Hospital, Stockwell, where
special wards have been set aside and special medical and nursing staff
provided. An obstetric consultant has also been appointed at these
Institutions. A circular letter has been sent to each of the medical practitioners
in Westminster expressing the hope that full use will be made of
the accommodation provided by the Metropolitan Asylums Board for
cases in this City.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.—Twenty-one cases were notified during
1925—10 males and 11 females. Twelve were admitted to hospital and
nine treated either at home or as out-patients of hospitals. In addition to
these notified cases, 11 cases of slight inflammation of the eyes came to
the knowledge of the Department. Cases of ophthalmia neonatorum (and
puerperal fever also) cannot be grouped together in tables to serve any
useful purpose, as each case must be regarded in its own light—governed
by the health of the parents or the conditions under which the confinement
took place. Facilities are afforded for the treatment of this disease by
the Metropolitan Asylums Board at St. Margaret's Hospital, Kentish Town,
N.W. Mothers are also admitted, and, if necessary, receive treatment.

* This child was born in and received treatment at hospital. At present it has a
film over right eye. Four children moved away soon after notification and two died—
one from lobar pneumonia and the other from bronchitis. No cases were notified by
midwives during 1925.
Bacteriological Laboratory.
The examination of specimens for bacteriological investigation is
carried out by Dr. Braxton Hicks at the laboratory of Westminster
Hospital. The facilities provided by the Council apply only to patients