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81
ACUTE POLIOMYELITIS AND POLIOENCEPHALITIS.
Four cases were notified during the year. One of these cases died. The other three
are still receiving Institutional treatment and are reported to be progressing slowly.

In addition to the above, there were 47 cases of Mild Inflammation not notifiable as
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
This disease is an inflammation of the eyes of newly born infants, resulting in a purulent
discharge within 21 days of birth. It has been compulsorily notifiable in London since 1911.
During the first few years the incidence averaged about 5 cases per 1,000 births in St. Pancras
Borough. By 1920 the incidence had reached 11, and this remained the approximate figure
for several years. The rate for 1930 was the lowest for a considerable period.
The disease does not seem to be as severe now as formerly. The high incidence
can only be explained by the alertness of midwives and doctors, who probably err on the side
of safety by notifying all suspicious cases. It is certainly better to err on this side. Out
of the 74 notifications this year, only four were considered "grave." There were 18 of
" moderate " severity, and the rest were returned as " slight."
The true condition is still a prolific cause of blindness. This is definitely seen in those
countries where Ophthalmia Neonatorum is not regarded with due consideration. In the
past six years, out of 256 cases, including all the doubtful ones, we have had two cases
where the vision was permanently impaired. Without our present protective routine, it is
probable that the incidence would become higher still, that there would be a greater proportion
of true and "grave" cases, and that "Impaired Vision" and "Blindness" would
result more commonly.
In 27 cases the mother was giving birth to her first baby, and 5 of these mothers were
single women. In 46 cases the confinement took place at home, and of these 26 were
attended by midwives, 10 by doctors and 10 by medical students.