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nurse ; now it is agreed that these cases are quite independent of accidents and that
the condition results from an attack on and the destruction of nervous tissue by an
organism.
Because investigations seemed to show that many children in a certain neighbourhood
were affected about the same time and that the disease appeared as
outbreaks and in epidemic form, the view was almost generally adopted that the
condition was infectious and might, if the source of infection was discovered, be
stamped out.
Amongst those who adopted this view were the London County Council and chiefly
with the object of obtaining information with regard to polio-myelitis and of having
full enquiries made into cases, they issued an order making notification to the
Medical Officer of Health in each of the boroughs compulsory.
This order was issued on 1st September, 1911, and was in force during the
remainder of the year. The total number of cases notified was 1.
This was investigated and a return with regard to it made to the London County
Council.
Chicken Pox.
During the year cases of small-pox having appeared in one or two of the London
Boroughs and there being a certain amount of fear, as the cases were not discovered
in some instances till the disease was somewhat advanced, that there might be a
spread of infection to other districts, as a precautionary measure chicken-pox was
temporarily included in the list of notifiable diseases.
The order of the London County Council was issued on 22nd March, 1911, and
remained in force for three months. The total number of cases notified was 119.
All were visited and examined.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
This is inflammation of the eyes in new-born children.
The inflammatory condition occurs as a result of infection of the eyes with an
organism, entry being obtained during birth. The inflammation which results
may be slight; it may, and very often is, however, exceedingly severe, so
severe as to cause considerable damage to the eyeball, resulting in permanent
blindness.
Those with most experience amongst the blind have found that an alarming
proportion of the cases of blindness resorting to institutions established for the benefit
of the blind are due to this cause.
It has also been found and proved beyond all question that risks of infection
with the germ causing the disease can be prevented if the eyes of the new-born baby
are cleaned and bathed and treated with a disinfectant (usually a few drops of a
2 per cent. solution of silver nitrate).