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eases, which fortunately have not been severe in character,
the general health has been maintained at a high level.
These nurseries have an educational value in that they
train the children in good habits and also afford them
companionship, this being of particular value when there
is only one child in a family.
PEMPHIGUS.
During the year there were 17 notifications
of children suffering from
Pemphigus Neonatorum, all of whom were removed to
hospital.
For some years Pemphigus Neonatorum has not given
rise to severe clinical symptoms. It is highly infectious
and causes considerable disorganisation in the midwifery
service owing to the fact that when a midwife has been
in contact with a case, it is necessary to prohibit her from
visiting other cases, and to remain off duty for a period
after she has been in contact. It may be considered as
"a nuisance disease," but it cannot be stated definitely
that it will not revert to a more malignant type. At one
time it was regarded very seriously, and a high mortality
was experienced.
HOSPITALS.
The Borough is principally served by
Rush Green Emergency Hospital
and Oldchurch County Hospital, together with King
George Hospital, Ilford. Rush Green Hospital continues
to accept medical and surgical cases and has been
of much assistance to the Borough by accepting
such cases as Puerperal Pyrexia, Ophthalmia Neonatorum
and Pemphigus. In many cases of the last two
named diseases the mothers are admitted with their children
when the latter are breast fed. Very valuable service