[Report 1931] / Medical Officer of Health, Gloucestershire County Council.

  • Gloucestershire (England). County Council. n 50061360.
Date:
1931
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1931] / Medical Officer of Health, Gloucestershire County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Discharging Eyes. Medical aid was called in by midwives in 71 cases of discharging eyes. The majority of these cases were slight and rapidly re- sponded to treatment, but in some of them, and in some doctors’ cases, there was a condition sufficiently severe to be regarded as ophthalmia neonatorum, and 20 such cases were notified. 2 were removed to hospital and the other cases recovered after suitable treatment. There has been no case of blindness reported as resulting from this infection. Special Visits and Inspections. The number of visits paid during the year was 1,010. This includes both the routine inspections of the midwives by Miss Mil- ford and her assistant and the County Health Superintendents, and also visits for special enquiry in certain cases. The midwives are always anxious to keep their work up to date, and welcome the opportunity of discussing their problems. Observations. Propaganda.—The importance of continuously teaching the population the elements of healthy living and the special need of attention for mothers and young children is well recognised by the Committee, and the Travelling Health Exhibition is fully utilised for this purpose. It is also necessary to make known the facilities for mothers and children which are available so that the fullest use may be made of them and many talks are given on this subject to groups of women, Adult Schools, Women’s Institutes, District Nursing Associations and others. All the audiences appear to be thoroughly interested in the matter and the members are able to pass on the information. It is a pity that more time cannot be devoted to this work, as there is still a good deal of ignorance to be dispelled. Dental Work.—Reference was made to the proposed extension of the work in this direction in last year’s Report. Four centres have now been equipped for dealing with the treatment of mothers and infants, and an additional dental surgeon has been appointed. The work will necessarily proceed slowly at first but it is hoped that it will be fully established during 1932. Restriction of Work.—Having regard to the economic situation, the M. and CAV. Committee were regretfully compelled to make some restrictions in the extension of the schemes. It was found necessary to curtail the formation of ante-natal centres, and only two are authorised for the current year ; also, any financial