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15
The routine method of applying silver nitrate solution to the eyes of all
newly-born babies is scarcely to be recommended. Where it is not properly
applied, it may cause a feeling of false security, so that early signs of
inflammation may be overlooked. Besides, the baby may contract the disease
other than at birth. In 1921, out of the 42 cases notified, 13 only were under
a week old at the time of birth, and 25 were over a week old and under a
fortnight. The remainder were over a fortnight old. Harm may be done
by unskilled persons using strong solutions, or through handling the eye
roughly. Ordinary boric acid solution frequently applied, is a safe and
reliable method in the hands of a parent or nurse.
Whether the case is treated at home or at the hospital, the Health
Visitor keeps the patient under observation during the whole course of the
disease, and is able to report finally whether the baby's eyes have Teceived
permanent damage or not. All cases of inflammation or discharge from the
eyes of babies under three weeks old which have been notified to the Public
Health Office from all sources, are visited and treatment given as if the
disease was genuine Ophthalmia Neonatorum. A genuine Ophthalmia
Neonatorum requires more drastic treatment than mere inflammation of the
eyes. The source of the infection is different, and in genuine Ophthalmia
Neonatorum the actual cause of the disease is nearly always Gonorrhoea.
Genuine cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum are rare in this district, and there
has not been any blindness as a result thereof for nearly eight years, and in
only three cases was vision slightly injured.
Of the 42 cases notified during 1921, five were notified by private doctors.
Of these, three were removed to St. Margaret's Hospital (M.A.B.).
Eight were notified by Hospital doctors and six from Infirmaries.
Several duplicates were received. One case was notified by a medical
man and afterwards a notification was received from the midwife. One was
notified by a midwife and afterwards by the Inspector of Midwives of the
London County Council.
In one case only was a notification received from a midwife, and from
no other source.
15 notifications were received from the Inspector of Midwives of the
London County Council. These were the only notifications received. In
addition, nine others were received, which were duplicate certificates.
The notifications were received when the babies were two days' old, in
one case, four days in another, two babies were five days old, three were six
days old, one was seven days, four were eight days, one was nine days,
seven were ten days, two were eleven days, seven were twelve days, and the
remainder between twelve days and three weeks.