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It is difficult to discuss the incidence of puerperal fever, because it is not
a defined disease, and hence is notifiable or not, according to the opinion held
by the individual doctor. The type of disease that is notified appears usually
to be one with very grave septic symptoms. It is probable that milder forms
occur and recover before the doctor makes up his mind as to whether he is
dealing with a notifiable disease or not.
During the year three cases were notified as such, and all were admitted
to Hospital.
Ophthalmia neonatorum, a purulent inflammation of the lids in new-born
children, is usually attributed to infection by the gonococcus—the cause of a
venereal infection, but here, again, we are not dealing with a distinct entity.
One case notified was found to be due to infection with the diphtheria
bacillus, another with the pneumococcus, and of those notified the gonococcus
was found in only one. This does not mean that it had not started the
trouble—secondary infection takes place readily, and may obscure the microscopical
findings.
In one case, occurring in a previous year, the pneumococcus was found,
and the Health Visitor afterwards reported that the mother had had a "bad
attack of asthma, with a high temperature "—evidently an attack of pneumonia.
The Health Visitors are asked to take swabs of these cases, at as early a
date as possible, for the purpose of microscopical examination. Details regarding
these cases are as follows:—
Number of cases notified 3
„ „ treated (1) at home 2
„ ,, (2) at Hospital I
„ „ vision unimpaired 3
„ „ „ impaired 0
,, ,, with total blindness 0
„ deaths 0
When cases are treated at home, arrangements are made for the child to
have treatment either at the Town Hall or at the Centre; if unable to attend
the Health Visitors pay frequent visits to the home for this purpose.
Measles occurred in the earlier part of the year, but not to any great
extent. The disease is not notifiable in this district, and the Health Visitors
do not pay visits to these.
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