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43
The Puerperal Pyrexia rate for 1949 was 9.12 per 1,000 births
as compared with 10.40 in 1948. Mortality due to Puerperal Sepsis
was nil.
The Registrar-General has issued the following rates with
regard to the notification of Puerperal Pyrexia. The Walthamstow
rates are set out in comparison.
England and Wales 6.31
126 County Borough and Great Towns (including
London) 8.14
148 Smaller Towns (Population 25,000-50,000) 5.30
London 6.82
Walthamstow 9.12

The rates have been high because of the strictness of notification
at the Maternity Hospital, i.e., cases are notified which in other
areas would probably not be notified, especially in domiciliary
practice.
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM
One case was notified and removed to Hospital. Vision was
unimpaired.
PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS
No action was necessary under Section 176 of the Public
Health Act, 1936, for the prevention of blindness or the treatment
of persons suffering from any disease of, or injury to, the eyes.
SMALLPOX
There were no notifications of this disease during the year.
Smallpox ConCacts.—Contacts were reported for surveillance on
disembarkation from several transports and were cleared after close
observation.
Vaccination.—In view of the importance of maintaining the
vaccinal condition of members of the staff whose duties might bring
them into contact with cases of smallpox, and as stressed in the
report of the Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health,
enquiries were made and vaccination offered. It is intended to repeat
this procedure annually.