London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
West Ham 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM.
Twenty-two cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum were notified
to me as Medical Officer of Health during the year 1930. Formerly
such cases were notified by the midwife, but as a result of the alteration
of the rules of the Central Midwives' Board a midwife must
now call in medical help for every case of "discharging" eyes,
however slight," so that cases of Ophthalmia come under medical
supervision at the earliest onset.
Arrangements are in force whereby any infant suffering from Ophthalmia Neonatorum can be admitted to hospital, if necessary, for immediate treament.
| Notified | Cases Treated | Vision Unimpaired | Vision Impaired | Total Blindness | Deaths | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At Home | In Hospital | |||||
| *22 | 7 | 15 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| *Of whom 3 were not resident in West Ham. | ||||||
PEMPHIGUS NEONATORUM.
There were two cases notified during the year, and six cases
of "Watery Blisters," which were undoubtedly Pemphigus. All
were mild in type; there was complete recovery in every case. The
onset varied from the 3rd to the 18th day, the average day of onset
being the 13th day after confinement. Thus, the condition was
found in two of these cases by the Health Visitor on her first visit,
having commenced after the midwife had discharged her duties.
One case of notified Pemphigus Neonatorum was followed 10
days later by a case of "watery blisters" in the practice of one
midwife; there was no connection traceable between the other
cases.
Maternal Mortality.
Total number of notified births in the Borough in 1930 was
6,623. Of this number 5,606 were West Ham residents.
Number of deaths due to complication of pregnancy of childbirth,
18.
Maternal Mortality Rate, 2.8 per 1,000.
Number of deaths due to Sepsis, 9.
Number of deaths from other causes, 9.
Average age of mothers at death, 32.2 years.
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