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49
During the year 1,241 notices were received from midwives stating that medical
assistance had been advised on account of inflammation of the eyes of infants, and
in addition to these 86 other cases came to light in which either medical help was
not called in by the midwife or in which she did not notify the Council of having
done so. Of these 1,327 cases, 547 proved to be ophthalmia neonalorrn. In addition
291 cases not occurring in the practice of midwives were notified, making a total
for the year of 838 cases. The percentage occurring in the practice of midwives was
thus 65.3. The Council's inspectors investigated all cases occurring in the practice
of midwives. 514 cases were reported to be completely cured, 20 died. In three
cases there was blindness of one eye and serious impairment of the vision in the
other ; in four cases there was slight impairment of one or both eyes; whilst in
six instances the result could not be ascertained owing to the removal of the patients,
who could not be traced. Ninety cases received in-patient hospital treatment at
St. Margaret's.
These Classes which were arranged by the Council for the further instruction
of midwives were well attended. The length of the course was shortened from nine
to six months in order that the lectures should not extend into the spring and summer.
Lectures to
midwives.
The Council's action with regard to the registration of lying-in homes is dealt
with later (see p. 104). During the year by-laws made under Section 18 of the L.C.C.
(General Powers) Act, 1921, have received the approval of the Ministry of Health.
The Council's women medical inspectors see that the by-laws are duly observed.
No. 2 of the by-law requires the keeper of a lying-in home to provide a register
wherein certain details must be recorded. Arrangements were made for a form of
register to be prepared and placed on sale through the Council's publishers.
The question of providing separate nursing for medical or surgical cases in
mixed homes in which maternity cases are also taken has been under consideration.
Considerable enquiry was made into the subject during 1922 and the practice obtaining
at mixed homes of varying grades of up-keep was investigated. It appeared,
however, that all necessary precautions were taken to prevent cross-infections,
and as regards the actual incidence of puerperal fever there was no evidence to show
that those homes which were kept solely for the use of maternity patients had a
better record than the others. In these circumstances the Council decided that no
further action should be taken at present.
Lying-in
homes.
The work of this branch was carried out at four laboratories, viz., the Central
Laboratory at the County Hall, the Greenwich generating station and the northern
and southern outfalls.
Work of the
Chemical
Branch.
During the year a large number of samples submitted by departments of the
Council have been examined, in most cases as to their compliance with specified
conditions or general suitability for use ; among these were 190 of building materials,
205 of coal, 42 of disinfectants, 66 of foods, 23 of metals, 227 of oils, 104 of paints
and colours, 128 of petrol (under the Petroleum Acts), 450 of seeds, 1 stomach contents
for detection of poison. Analyses were made of 137 gases used in connection with
dry-cleaning and degreasing plant in use in London. In connection with the
supervision of dietary of necessitous children in Council's schools, 1,074 samples
of milk and 52 complete meals were examined.
Central
laboratory.
In addition to the examination of samples, the staff at the laboratory carry
out analytical work in connection with a variety of investigations, principally connected
with the materials in use in various branches of the Council's activities.
Further investigations have been carried out with a view to finding a rapid
and efficacious means of cleansing the heads of verminous children. After discussion
of the problem with the late Mr. A. Bacot, laboratory experiments with various
mixtures were carried out and the actual operation of cleansing was studied in a
cleansing station. A mixture containing wood tar oil as its active ingredient, diluted
with paraffin and scented with lemon grass oil to mask the odour of the paraffin,
was found to be effective and not unpleasant. Later a suitable proportion of cotton-
Destruction
of lice.