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Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
(Inflammation of the eyes of the new-born).
91. This disease was made compuLsorily notifiable by
ail order of the London County Council, dated March, 1911,
which came into force on the 13th March. The order is
under Section 55, Public Health (London) Act. No other
Section of the Act is applied, so there is no requirement
to disinfect, or penalty for exposure, the main object of
notification being to secure effective treatment of the infant
affected. Most cases notified are the infants of women
attended in their confinement by midwives, who are inspected
by the County Council. The Borough Council
Health Visitor also inspects in all cases, and reports whether
proper treatment is being carried out. The Guardians were
asked to facilitate immediate removal to the Infirmajy,
where satisfactory home treatment was impracticable, and
gave a favourable response. Eight cases were notified, of
which one was removed with the mother to the Infirmary.
The others were all reported to be receiving effectual treatment
at home. In most cases the Ophthalmia was clearly
due to venereal disease in the parents.
meteorology.
(See Table VIE;).
92. The temperature in the Winter quarter of the year
was about normal; it had six weeks with an average
temperature above the normal, and seven below. The Spring
quarter had a temperature somewhat above the average,
and the Summer quarter was exceptionally warm; it lad
eleven weeks above the average, and only one below; its