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considerable evidence to show that the disease is communicable, but it
is by no means clear how the infection is communicated. One case was
notified during the year in the person of a boy aged 7 years, which did
not prove fatal. The death recorded from this disease was that of a
child aged 3 years who had been notified at the end of 1911. Disinfection
was carried out in each case.
Epidemic Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.
This disease, popularly known as "Spotted Fever," is now one of
the notifiable diseases. One case occurred in the person of a child
under one year of age, who died from the disease.
No case occurred in 1911.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
(Inflammation of the Eyes of the newly-born.)
The London County Council made an Order, which came into
operation on March 13th, 1911, requiring the notification of Ophthalmia
Neonatorum. This disease is one of the frequent causes of blindness,
and therefore inflicts considerable loss on the community. Six cases
were notified in Hampstead during the year, one of which occurred in
the Town Ward and five in the Kilburn Ward. In order to prevent
the disease resulting in loss of eyesight it is necessary that the patient
should be properly nursed, and the chief object of notification is to
facilitate the provision of skilled nursing. Of the six cases notified,
four were already being nursed by a trained nurse.