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
Islington 1922
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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16
1922]
Still-Births.— Enquiries are made and advice given to the mother about her health
and means to be taken to prevent, if possible, future still-births. One hundred and fifty
still-births were notified, but only 104 were investigated. Owing to pressure of work these
enquiries sometimes cannot be made until a considerable interval after the lying-in period,
and on the Health Visitor calling no answer is obtained as the patient may have returned
to work, or, especially where the still-birth has been illegitimate, her visits arc not desired.
Ante-Natal Work.—The importance and value of this work is now recognised. The
Health Visiting staff get into touch with as many expectant mothers as possible.
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM AND OPHTHALMIA.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum is an inflammatory disease with purulent discharge occurring
in the eyes of infants within three weeks of birth.
116 cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum were notified (162 in 1921).
62 cases of Ophthalmia were reported (31 in 1921) by the London County Council.
69 out of the 116 cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum were attended at birth by midwivea
54 of these 69 were unconfirmed as Ophthalmia Neonatorum by the London County
Council's Medical Inspectors.
The cases occurred in the sub-registration districts as follows:
| Tufnell. | Upper Hollo-way. | Toll-ington. | Lower Hollo-way. | Highbury. | Barns-bury. | South East. | The Borough | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cases notified by Doctor . | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 22 | 83 |
| Cases notified by Certified Midwives | - | 8 | 6 | 8 | 10 | - | 1 | 33 |
| Cases reported by L.C.C.. | 3 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 17 | 42 |
| Cases reported by Health Visitors. | - | 3 | — | 2 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 20 |
Of the 178 cases investigated, both of the infants' eyes were affected in 108 instances,
whilst in 46 the right eye was involved and in 24 the left.
Treatment.—16 of 116 Ophthalmia Neonatorum cases were admitted to
St. Margaret's Hospital.
25 of 116 Ophthalmia Neonatorum cases were treated at home by private Doctors.
63 cases of inflammatory disease of infants' eyes were nursed by the North London
Nursing Association for the Council at the cost of £53 l0s. (In 1921, 78 cases were nursed
at the cost of £66 1s.). This was money well spent, as skilled attention decreases the
possibility of partial or complete blindness.
Results.— Of the 116 Ophthalmia Neonatorum cases :
113 cases completely clear.
2 cases partial impairment of the left eve.
1 case partial impairment of the left eye and complete blindness of the right eye.