View report page

62
The cases were distributed in the different wards as follows:—
East 1, North 3, North-West 6, and South 4, South-East 1 and SouthWest
2.
Bacteriological examinations were made of 9 specimens of blood, of
which 3 were found to be doubtful and 6 negative.

Two hundred and thirty cases of Erysipelas have been notified
during 1913, as compared with 188 in 1912, 177 in 1911, and 138
in 1910. There were two deaths registered from the disease within
the borough and in outlying institutions. In each notified case the
premises have been visited and enquiries made, and, where necessary,
disinfection performed.

Only one case of puerperal fever was notified, compared with
8, 2, and 2, for the three years preceding.
The death rate was equal to 0.009 per 1,000, compared with 0.027,
0.009, and 0.008 for the three preceding years.
The case mortality was 100.0 per cent. compared with 37.5 per
cent. for 1911.
So few cases reflect great credit on the midwives of the borough,
who attend by far the greater number of the births. The mothers also
have either followed the advice of their nurses as regards cleanliness, or
have been the creatures of providence. It is a notable fact that the
deaths from this disease are very often the result of gross carelessness
on the part of the mothers themselves, because many of them do not
trouble to prepare clean bedding for their lying-in. This is not always
due to actual dirty habits, but to the fact that they do not wish to
soil their bedding, not knowing, in their ignorance, that at the time
of their confinement cleanliness is of the first importance.
Should a case of Puerperal Fever be notified it is carefully enquired
into by the Medical Officer of Health and the Health Visitor. Disinfection
is carried out, and every effort made to prevent further
cases.