London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
City of Westminster 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]
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57
Ophthalmia neonatorum.—Seven cases were notified during the year.
There were also 4 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 for affections
of the eyes was carried out by the district nurses in 17 cases, 305
visits being paid. Ophthalmia neonatorum has been notifiable since
1911. The percentage of cases, both mild and purulent (notifiable) in
relation to births from the year 1929 is as follows:—
Table LIV.—Ophthalmia Neonatorum and Inflammation of the Eyes.
| Cases. | Rate per 100 births for both classes of cases. | |
|---|---|---|
| 1929 | 11 | 1.9 |
| 1930 | 16 | 2.2 |
| 1931 | 20 | 1.6 |
| 1932 | 27 | 2.3 |
| 1933 | 12 | 1.1 |
| 1934 | 11 | 0.94 |
| 1935 | 8 | 0.76 |
| 1936 | 16 | 1.5 |
| 1937 | 15 | 1.4 |
| 1938 | 11 | 1.05 |
Table LV.-Death Rates from Syphilis under 1 Year of Age Per 1,000 Births.
| 1921-25 | 1.7 | 1932 | 1.7 |
| 1926 | 0.62 | 1933 | 3.6 |
| 1927 | 2.8 | 1934 | 1.71 |
| 1928 | 0.72 | 1935 | - |
| 1929 | 0.73 | 1936 | - |
| 1930 | 2.1 | 1937 | 0.9 |
| 1931 | 1.6 | 1938 | - |