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34
Puerperal Pyrexia.—Seven cases occurred, four of which were in
unmarried women and could be attributed to abortion. One unmarried
woman died through abortion, with a miscarriage of twins.
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM.
The Public Health (Ophthalmia Neonatorum) Regulations, 1926.
The following report to the Public Health Committee in October,
1926, sufficiently explains the objects of these Regulations:—
"The following has been sent in the form of a circular letter to all medioal
practitioners in the City, as required by Article 4 of the Regulations. It embodies the
main provisions, and a copy of the Regulations has also been enclosed to each practitioner
concerned.
"These Regulations, as mentioned in my covering letter, come into force on the
1st October, 1926. They differ from the Public Health (Ophthalmia Neonatorum)
Regulations, 1914, which have now been revoked, in that it is no longer incumbent upon
a midwife to notify to the local authority a case of this disease; but, in accordance
with the rules of the Central Midwives Board, midwives are still required to summon
medical assistance in all cases, however slight, of inflammation of, or discharge from,
the eyes of a child, and to send immediate notice to the local supervising authority
(the London County Council) that such assistance has been sought.
"The duty of notifying a case of ophthalmia neonatorum is now placed solely upon
the medical practitioner in attendance upon the case, as it was felt that the previous
dual obligation of notification placed upon both midwife and practitioner, often
tended towards total absence of notification, with its consequent delay in treatment of
the child. It is hoped, therefore, that advantage will be taken of the City Council'*
arrangements with the District Nursing Associations for supervision and nursing of
mild cases, and the greater facilities for treatment provided by the Metropolitan Asylums
Board for serious cases of ophthalmia neonatorum at St. Margaret's Hospital, N.W."
" Other provisions deal with enforcement of the Regulations by local authority, the
forms of notification required from medical practitioners, transmission of notifications
to the Medical Officer of Health, fees payable for notification, information of notification
to be sent to County Medical Officer (London County Council), and to the Metropolitan
Asylums Board. Notification is not required in certain cases falling under the category
of inmates of premises belonging to His Majesty the King.
" The aim of the Regulations is to ensure that prompt treatment is provided for
cases of ophthalmia neonatorum, and it is suggested that the Medical Officer of Health
should get in touch with the practitioner who notifies and should provide nursing
assistance if required. In the cases of inflammation of the eyes which are reported to
the County Medical Officer by midwives, the Medical Officer of Health of the local authority
shall be informed after the visit of the Inspector of Midwives so that he may arrange
for supervision of the case by a Health Visitor, should it be neoessary."
Sixteen cases were notified during 1926—6 males and 10 females.
Twelve were admitted to hospital and four 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.
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.