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Ophthalmia Neonatorum
For a long time more careful attention at birth and prophylactic
treatment has reduced the incidence of this infection of the eyes of the
new-born to small proportions. The introduction of the newer drugs and
antibiotics has reduced it still further. No case was reported in 1961.
Only two cases have occurred in the last 7 years and neither has resulted
in any impairment of vision.
Puerperal Pyrexia
The regulations require that any rise of temperature of 2 degrees in
a woman within 14 days of childbirth or miscarriage, shall be notified
irrespective of the origin of the fever. A substantial proportion of all
notifications, therefore, are not of puerperal origin. Most cases, as is to
be expected, are lying-in women in the extensive maternity accommodation
provided in the hospitals of the district which cater for a large area of
Metropolitan Surrey, since the main criterion for admission to this
accommodation is existing or potential medical abnormality.
A total of 166 cases was reported, all hospital cases but 3. Thirty
were Carshalton mothers.
Food Poisoning
The year 1961 was not only free from any outbreak of food poisoning,
but no single isolated cases were notified. Illness of this description is
mainly the result of defective food hygiene particularly of faulty handling
when food such as cream filled cakes or processed meat is manipulated
in the course of preparation. Such shortcomings give rise only to the
occasional case when they are restricted to the ordinary domestic household,
but can give rise to extensive illness when they occur in large catering
establishments.
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