[Report 1955] / Medical Officer of Health, Hastings County Borough.

  • Hastings (England). County Borough Council.
Date:
1955
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1955] / Medical Officer of Health, Hastings County Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    (iv) Ophthalmia Neonatorum, an infective eye condition of new born babies, which used to be a frequent source of early blindness, has been virtually eradicated by veneral disease control, improved ante-natal care and treatment of the new born baby’s eyes. No case occurred in 1955. (v) Follow up of Registered Blind Persons (1955). CAUSE OF DISABILITY Cataract Cdaucoma Retrolental fibroplasia Others No. of cases registered in 1955 in respect of which para. 7 (c) of B.D.8. recom- mends to 2 14 (a) no treatment 2 — 9 (b) treatment fmed. surg. or optical) 8 2 — 5 No. of cases at 1 (b) above whicli on follow-up action have received treatment ... 3 2 — 4 Follow up of Partially Sighted Persons, 1955: 4 cataracts (2 also Glaucoma), 5 being recommended for treatment, 3 of whom received same. 4 ‘‘other causes” recommended for treatment, 2 of whom received same during the year. 2. Deaf and Dumb: The Sussex Diocesan Association for the Deaf and Dumb provides a social centre at Stockleigh Road under the care of a local missioner where a full club service is given, together with religious meetings. Home visiting is carried out where necessary and many club outings arranged. The missioner accompanied deaf and dumb people to interviews with doctors, solicitors, employers, hospital, etc. The services are provided by the Association acting as agents for the Council, payment being made on a per capita basis. The Association also looks after a number of Deaf persons and Deaf and Blind persons. The number of Deaf and Dumb persons registered at the end of 1955 was 37, of Deaf and Blind 12. The social club for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing started under voluntary auspices early in 1952 has continued to do excellent work. 3. Cripples and other Handicapped Persons: The Hastings branch of the East Sussex Association for the Care of Cripples carries out some welfare work, whilst the B.R.C.S. look after ex-service cripples, providing occupational therapy and general assistance. 4. Epileptics and Spastics: The true incidence of epilepsy and cerebral palsy in adults in the town is not known, as the department only can assist those who seek its help or who are referred by other organizations. School children suffering from either of these complaints are known to us through the School Health Service, and the health visitors give early information in the case of still younger children.