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1,339 notices were received from midwives during the year with regard to
medical aid summoned for inflammation of the eyes of infants, as compared with
1,241 in 1922. In addition, 55 other cases occurred in which either medical help
was not called in by the midwife or she failed to notify the Council that she had done
so. Of these 1,394 cases, 449 proved to be ophthalmia neonatorum, as compared
with 547 in 1922 ; 304 other cases that did not occur in the practice of midwives
were also notified, making a total for the year of 753 notified cases of this disease.
The percentage occurring in the practice of midwives was 59.6, as against 65.3 in
1922. All the cases that occurred in the practice of midwives were investigated by
the inspectors, and it was found that 420 were reported as completely cured, while
12 died. In one case blindness resulted in both eyes, and in one case of one eye ;
impairment of the vision in both eyes occurred in two cases and of one eye also in
two cases, whilst in 11 instances the result could not be ascertained owing to the
removal of the patients. In addition, two cases in the practice of midwives were
investigated in which there was damage to the eyes, one resulting in total blindness
and the other in loss of sight in one eye. These cases, however, were never notified
as ophthalmia neonatorum. 64 cases received in-patient hospital treatment at
St. Margaret's Hospital.
In past years classes have been arranged for the instruction of midwives, and
were well attended. As it was found that there had been a falling off in the attendance,
it was decided to dispense with such classes during 1923, but it is anticipated
thev will be renewed next vear.
Lying-in
homes.
The by-laws made under section 18 of the L.C.C. (General Powers) Act, 1921,
are being carried out by the keepers of lying-in homes, and are of assistance to
the Council in dealing with any complaint that may be made with regard to the
home.
Children
Act, 1908.
The powers of the Council under the Children Act, 1908 (Part 1), with regard
to infant life protection are fully indicated in the Annual Report for 1921. The
work of inspection is carried out by 14 visitors and two male inspectors. Nurse
infants who are being kept under specified unsatisfactory conditions, may under
powers given by the Act be removed to a place of safety—i.e., in London to Poor Law
institutions. During 1923, 6 nurse infants were removed, as compared with 14 in
the previous year. The Act permits the Council to grant whole or partial exemption
from inspection in cases where the circumstances appear to warrant such a course,
and partial exemption limited to inspection once or twice a year was granted in
3 cases.
All the homes in which foster children are kept are visited with a view to ascertaining
whether the sanitary condition of the premises is satisfactory. During
1923 1009 reports as compared with 971 during 1922 were made. The premises
were found to be satisfactory in 648 cases as compared with 668 the previous year.
Sanitary defects were discovered in 143 homes as compared with 141 the previous
year while overcrowding was reported in 141 homes as compared with 92 in 1922.
Overcrowding and sanitary defects were found in 18 homes as compared with 9
the previous year. In 59 cases no action could be taken owing to the removal of
the infant prior to the visit of the inspector. In any case of serious sanitary defect
the attention of the borough council was drawn to the defect. A re-arrangement
of the accommodation has in some cases enabled an improvement to be effected,
but in others this has been impossible and the foster mothers have in such cases
been urged either to obtain more suitable accommodation or to return the infant
to its parent. As will be obvious the lack of suitable housing accommodation has
added to the difficulty of dealing with such cases.
The help of the local infant welfare centre is sought in the case of the illness
of an infant, and where a foster mother has charge of a weak or ailing infant she is
urged to take the infant to the centre and follow the medical advice given there.
The visitors are instructed to watch such cases with a view to seeing that the