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History of Case in which there is Impaired Vision.
Baby, B. Born 19/11/28. Fifth child. Normal delivery
by midwives. Medical help summoned by midwife on 11th day
fbr "discharging eyes." (Mother stated to H.V. inflammation
first noticed in right eye on seventh day; tenth day, both eyes
affected.) Notified by doctor as Ophthalmia Neonatorum on 17th
day. Progress reported good, but infant still under treatment at
4| months of age.
Pemphigus Neonatorum.
During 1928, nine cases of Pemphigus Neonatorum were
notified, and 27 cases of Watery Blisters, as against 12 cases of
Pemphigus and 13 cases of Watery Blisters in 1927. The notifications
were made by the doctors called in to treat the infants,
or from hospitals where the infants were sent for treatment. The
cases of Watery Blisters came to my notice through the Medical
Aid Forms sent by the midwives when they first noticed the rash.
Special visits are paid by the Health Visitors to every case
of Pemphigus or "Watery Blisters" immediately after receipt
of notification by the doctor or of the medical aid slip.
Three deaths occurred from this disease in 1928 (two in
1927). The ages of the three infants at death were 14, 11, and
12 days respectively. Two cases of pemphigus were associated
with "sticky eyes."
During the year a special investigation was made by Dr.
Helen Campbell and myself into the possible source of each case,
and a bacteriological examination of the fluid in the blister was
made in as many cases as possible. The organism found to be
present in every case was the Staphylo-coccus aureus. In very
few cases was it possible to trace the source of the infection.
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