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88
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
During 1930, 8 cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum were notified
in East Ham.
For table giving result of treatment, see page 52.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum includes all cases of inflammation of
the eyes of new-born babies, however slight, coming on within
21 days after birth. Under the Regulations for its notification that
came into force in October, 1926, every effort is made to control and
eradicate this disease. Any doctor attending such a case is required
to notify it to the Medical Officer of Health. A midwife
meeting the case of an infant having discharging eyes is required
to summon a doctor, who then becomes responsible for notification.
All cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum are visited by the Health
Visitors and kept under observation.
Free Milk.
Under the Council's scheme £901 worth of free milk was
supplied to expectant and nursing mothers and young children
during the past year. In every case careful investigation of the
family circumstances is made to ensure that only really necessitous
cases shall receive this benefit.
Voluntary Associations.
Thanks are again gratefully accorded to the Invalid Children's
Aid Association for arranging periods of convalescence
in the country for delicate children referred from the clinics.
Five children were sent away through the auspices of the
Association during 1930.
Co-ordination.
There is very considerable co-ordination between the Maternity
and Child Welfare work of the Borough and other Departments
of the Public Health Service.
The records of clinic children on reaching the age of five
years are sent to the School Medical Department for information
regarding entrants to school life.
Expectant and nursing mothers and young children requiring
dental treatment are referred to the School Dental Surgeon from
the Infant Welfare Clinics.