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76
(non-purulent) and notified (purulent) cases in relation to births from the
year 1921 is as follows:—

With regard to the incidence of venereal disease the following table
showing the death rates of infants per 1,000 births, certified to have died
from syphilis, is reproduced with the inclusion of the year 1926.
1901-5 2.8
1906-10 3.2
1911-15 2.4
1916-20 4.95
1921-25 1.7
1926 0.62
It will be seen that there is a notable decline in infant deaths from
this cause during this period. During the war period the high death-rate
among infants would appear to indicate that infectious venereal disease
was unduly prevalent, and the fall in the quinquennium 1921-25
has continued.
There are a number of cases in which inflammation develops in
the eyes of recently born infants, and if the discharge remains watery
in nature and pus does not form the condition need not be classified as
ophthalmia. The infection, nevertheless, may be gonococcal in origin.
Those are necessarily mild cases, but it is important that they should
be recognised and treated at an early stage, because if neglected genuine
purulent ophthalmia might ensue.
Sixteen cases were notified during the year, 12 of those being
treated in hospital. There were also 11 instances of watery discharge
from the eyes which were brought to the notice of the health visitors.
All cases of ophthalmia neonatorum are visited as soon as possible after
notification in order to see that adequate treatment is being provided.
Treatment by the district nurses was carried out in 9 cases, 267 visits
being paid.
Detilal Treatment.—The Council's scheme provides for the treatment of
cases both under the Maternity and Child Welfare and Tuberculosis
Schemes. Figures relating to the latter will be found in the Tuberculosis