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83
Ophthalmia neonatorum is one of the most important causes of blindness.
Although fortunately all the cases in the Borough coining to our notice last year
were cured, this result was the consequence of the expenditure of much time
and energy and indirectly money by all concerned; the occurrence of most, if not
all, of the cases could have been prevented by a simple procedure. A year or so ago
the Scottish Board of Health issued a circular to medical practitioners "strongly
recommending the installation of silver nitrate solution into the eyes of newlyborn
children and intimating that they will in future require a report with
particulars of treatment from Medical Officers of Health in all cases in which
there occurs loss of vision. In this country the installation has been recommended
with fortunate results by at least several Medical Officers of Health to those
attending childbirths in their areas, but legislation in some form advocating or
requiring its adoption generally is required so that the whole country may benefit.
Whooping Cough.
Visits were paid to 136 persons suffering from whooping cough. Of these
95 were notified by doctors; in 8 others the information was derived from the
schools; 16 from the Health Visitors; and 7 from parents. Six died (2 in 1925);
2 were under 1 year, 4 were between 1 and 5 years.
Age.
Twenty-two were children under 1 year, 89 were aged 1 to 5 years, and 24
5 to 16 years, and 1 was an adult.
Contacts.
(136 enquiries.)
Thirty-eight had no contacts; 98 had contacts. The number of contacts was
333 of whom 170 were susceptible, 163 already having suffered from an attack.
No. of cases 24 and 15 21 12 11 6 5 3 2
No. of contacts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
No. of cases 35 and 14 15 8 6
No. of susceptible contacts 1 2 3 4 5
Spread of Infection in Family.
The 136 cases occurred in 109 families. In 115 families 1 case occurred; 17
families had 2 cases, 2 had 3, and in 2 families 4 suffered.
Removal.
Sixty-three children were removed to hospital, approximately 46.0 per cent.
as opposed to 30 per cent. last year. Of these 61 were admitted to hospitals of
the M.A.B. Two were admitted with pneumonia to voluntary hospitals and
afterwards notified as suffering from whooping cough. Progress is being made as
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