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71
Pemphigus Neonatorum.—In November an outbreak of pemphigus
neonatorum was experienced at the Chiswick and Ealing
Maternity Hospital. Until the end of December, 16 children had
been affected. All except two of the children were very mildly
attacked, and there was nothing beyond a few characteristic spots
to indicate that anything was amiss with them. The two cases
attacked more extensively than the others were, however, scarcely
incommoded and both recovered completely after about 14 days.
The Hospital was closed on the 10th November after the initial
crop of cases when nine were affected. Thorough disinfection was
carried out and the hospital was re-opened on the 24th November.
Cases began to occur again on the 5th December and continued
intermittently until the end of the year in spite of all precautions
and repeated disinfection. Closure of the hospital was not repeated,
but affected cases were removed immediately to a special ward
at the. Isolation Hospital, which adjoins.
After the end of December cases occurred in an unexpected
and disconcerting manner in spite of all precautions until the
6th April when the cases ceased. Altogether 32 cases occurred,
16 to the end of December and 16 to the 6th April. The disease
appears to be very infectious and therefore difficult to eradicate
when once it gets into an institution.
The following is a Summary of the Work of the Welfare
Centre during the Year.
Number of children on register at the end of year 1,427
Mothers visiting Centre for the first time 784
Children visiting Centre for the first time 784
Total attendances made by mothers 5,576
Total attendances made by children 6,447
Average attendance of mothers each afternoon 38
Average attendance of children each afternoon 44
Number of Consultations by Medical Officer 2,535
Average number of children seen by Medical Officer each
afternoon 18
Children referred to School Clinic for treatment:
Nose and Throat 2
Eyes 9
Teeth 13