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The great majority of these cases were very slight infecions,
resulting in some stickiness of the lids. One quarter
were cleared within the first week and three quarters within two
veeks. All cases recovered with no impairment of vision.
Three cases, with their mothers, were admitted to St. Margaret's
Hospital, being there a total of 86 days at a cost of £43.
Pemphigus.
Towards the end of 1928 a number of cases of Pemphigus
Neonatorum occurred, scattered round the district. These
foreshadowed the outbreak which appeared in the first 4 months
of this year, when 36 eases occurred with 7 deaths. After a
period of three months' absence it again appeared, 28 cases
occurring in the remaining 5 months of the year, one proving
fatal.
From 13/5/29 the disease was 'made notifiable for a period
of three months. At the expiration of this period it was continued
for another three months, since when Pemphigus has
been added to the permanent list of Notifiable Diseases.
For home treatment, the Council has arranged for a special
nurse from the local branch of the District- Nursing Association
to undertake the dressings. Severe tases are admitted, with
the mother if possible, under the Council's scheme,' to Oldchurch
Hospital. Under these combined arrangements three patients
were treated during the year at a total cost of £6 3s. 6d.
The onset in 70 per cent. of the cases occurred between the
4th and 12th days. The cord was apparently normal in one-half
of the cases. In about one-third of the cases the lesion first;
started on the abdomen, frequently near the umbilicus. In
almost another one-third the lesion first appeared on the inner
Part ot the thighs, the groins or genitals.
In two of the cases with a delayed onset, there was a
granuloma at the umbilicus, which, however, appeared normal
in the remaining four eases. In four instances there was impetigo
present in the house, and two other patients had been'
circumcised. One case started on ithe face near the site of an.
injury due to forceps application. Apart from these cases there
was no apparent causative condition.