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17
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.— Only three cases of ophthalmia
neonatorum were notified during the year. Two of the cases
occurred in the Chiswick and Ealing Maternity Hospital and one at
a private nursing institution in London. The cases were under
medical care when they developed. All three children recovered
without impairment of the eyesight.
Puerperal Fever.—It is necessary to make some comments
on the unusual number of cases of puerperal fever. Seven of the
nine cases occurred in J anuarv in the Chiswick and Ealing Maternity
Hospital, and while most of them were of a mild character one was
so severe that the patient unfortunately died. The occurrence of
these cases was the subject of an enquiry by the Chiswick and
Ealing Hospitals Committee, which adopted certain measures
which it is hoped will prevent such an extension of infection in
the future.
The other two cases occurred in December, one in the Chiswick
and Ealing Maternity Hospital after a complicated labour and the
other in a private nursing institution after a miscarriage.
The number of cases notified in the various age groups are
included in Table VI. By far the largest number occurred as
usual between the ages of 5 and 10 years.
NURSING ARRANGEMENTS, HOSPITALS AND OTHER
INSTITUTIONS AVAILABLE FOR THE DISTRICT.
Professional Nursing in the Home.—(a) General.—The
Ealing District Nursing Association by means of two fully trained
nurses supplies professional nursing for cases of non-infectious
illness in the district. In 1921 the" Association commenced with
one nurse, in 1922 the half-time services of another nurse were
obtained, and in 1923 the whole-time services of the second nurse
had to be requisitioned to meet the needs of the district. There
can be no doubt that, as the appreciation of the work of the nurses
among those for whom the service is designed increases, greater
calls will be made and the number of nurses will have to be still