Statistical Study of Reports of Inflammaof Eyes of Newborn, 1916-17 Arranged by Miss Jessie B. Doersam and Miss Esther McClain, Students in the Department of Economics and Sociology, College of Commerce and Journalism, Ohio State University T HE accompanying figures show the number of cases of inflammation of the eyes of the newborn reported during the fiscal year July 1, 1916, to June 30, 1917. The percentages are computed on the number of births occurring during the calendar year 1916, as shown in the report of the State Bureau of Vital Statistics. If the number of births occurring during the fiscal year covered by this study were available, the percentages might be slightly smaller than they appear in the table; for in most cities the number of births reported increases from year to year owing to (1) the growth of population by migration and (2) increased efficiency in registration. The numbers as given, however, furnish a satisfactory basis for comparisons between various health districts. Table I indicates roughly that in the state one of every 100 babies born was reported as having inflamed eyes, and that in the larger cities of the state the proportion reported was two in every 100. All cities having 25,000 inhabitants or more at the last census are listed in the order of their size at that time. Wide variations are evident in the number of cases of inflammation reported. In Cleveland, where the proportion is largest, the percentage is ten times as great as in Lorain where the proportion is smallest. there, or that the country and smaller cities are more free from the causes of eye infections than are the larger cities. In two large cities, Dayton and Akron, the percentage of cases reported is the same as in the rural sections and small cities of the state. In general the proportions are higher in those cities that have well developed health work. A low percentage of cases reported is therefore not a matter for congratulation to any community, but rather a reason for self-examination. Table II classifies according to the sources of reports the 1,254 cases of inflammation of the eyes of the newborn in the state of Ohio reported from July 1, 1916 to June 30, 1917. TABLE II. PERSONS REPORTING CASES OF INFLAMMATION OF THE EYES OF THE NEWBORN, JULY 1, 1916, to JUNE 30, 1917. Cases Reported. State and only 300 midwives, yet the midwives have reported onefourth of the 1,254 cases. If the physicians had reported in the same proportion as have the midwives, the number of cases would have reached several thousand instead of a few hundred. However, since the midwives are required, by law, to use the prophylactic prescribed by the State Department of Health, many of the cases which they report are found to be a mild reaction from the use of silver nitrate solution. Twenty-nine cases of impairment of vision resulted from the 1,254 cases of inflammation reported from July 1, 1916, to June 30, 1917. These cases are classified as follows according to the degree of impairment: Persons Reporting. Total Nurses 249 19.9 Institutions 40 3.2 Laymen 30 2.4 Physicians and nurses 5 Physicians and mid wives 8 29 .4 .2 During the calendar years of 1916 and 1917, seventy-five violations of the prevention of blindness act were investigated for prosecution. Fifty-eight of the seventyfive cases were referred to county 1,254 100.0 prosecuting attorneys. In the remaining seventeen cases the Investigator was unable to secure sufficient evidence for conviction and after warning was given to the offenders, the cases were dismissed. The noticeable thing in this showing is the high percentage of midwives reporting eye cases. According to figures furnished by the State Medical Board there are approximately 8,500 physicians in the The disposition of the fifty-eight cases referred to prosecuting attorneys was as follows: Of the 12,956 patients under care, 10,353 were grouped as follows, according to the nature of their cases: cases. $1,132 patients under care were not grouped according to the nature of their ** Akron's 1.471 patients under care were listed as 890 Infant Welfare; 561 tuberculosis; and 20 general nursing service. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS BY DIVISIONS DIVISION OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES Reported Cases of Notifiable Diseases, Ohio, August, 1918 Prevalence. In order of greatest reported prevalence during August, the notifiable diseases list as follows, with comparative figures for July given: For no other one notifiable diseases was a total of 50 or more cases reported for August. For the fourteen diseases listed in order of prevalence the August total is 5,342 reported cases compared with July's total of 5,945 cases. Subtracting the 2,101 cases of gonorrhea and syphilis reported during August from the month's case totals, 3,241 cases remain to compare with the July total of 4,933 for the twelve diseases, the gonorrhea and syphilis total of 1,012 cases for July being subtracted likewise, to indicate more clearly not only the marked decrease in reported cases of the twelve diseases but also the doubling, and more, of reported cases of gonorrhea and syphilis. It must be stated, however, that the marked improvement in reporting gonorrhea and syphilis can not be credited to the patriotism of our Ohio physicians who have been especially appealed to to report all cases for the protection of our army, navy and civilian, working population. More than half, about 60 per cent, of the August total of 2,101 cases of the two diseases was reported through military authorities. Of the remaining 860 cases, 517, or 60 per cent again, were reported from Akron, with more than 40 per cent of these coming not from physicians but from druggists and others who are co-operating with the Akron department of health in efforts to comply with requirements. Akron undoubtedly came close to recording all cases applying for treatment during the month. Roughly estimating on Akron's figures as a basis for reports for the rest of the state, ten times as many cases should have been reported in the state as were actually recorded. Will physicians, dentists, |