London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Poplar 1932
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Poplar, Metropolitan Borough]
This page requires JavaScript
There were 12 maternal deaths, and the mortality rate was 4.07 per 1,000 total births (live and still).
| Cause of Death. | Attended at home by | Treated in Institution. | Number of previous Pregnancies. | Received Antenatal Care or Treatment | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| *1. Peritonitis; Pelvic abscess; Pelvic haematoma due to tubal abortion. | — | Yes | 2 | No | Tubal abortion |
| 2. Septicaemia from premature labour induced by falling at her house | Doctor | Yes | 5 | No | Miscarriage |
| 3. Septicaemia; Septic endometritis | Midwife | Yes | — | Yes | Child alive |
| *4. Septicaemia; Abortion | Doctor | Yes | 1 | No | Miscarriage |
| 5. Puerperal septic intoxication | — | Yes | — | Yes | Child alive |
| 6. Septic pneumonia following abortion and septic infection of unknown cause | Doctor | Yes | 7 | No | Miscarriage |
| 1. Antepartum haemorrhage; Placenta praevia | Midwife | Yes | 5 | No | Stillbirth |
| 2. Haemorrhage following miscarriage | Doctor | No | 9 | No | Miscarriage |
| 3. Eclampsia | — | Yes | — | No | Miscarriage |
| 4. Post-partum haemorrhage | Doctor | No | 2 | No | Child alive |
| 5. Obstetric shock; Excessive development of foetus; Instrumental delivery | — | Yes | — | Yes | Stillbirth |
| 6. Paralytic ileus; Caesarean section; Disproportion | — | Yes | — | No | Miscarriago |
* The first intimation of these cases was the death return from the Registrar.
Cases of septicaemia following abortion are regrettably on the
increase, and investigation into these cases proves most unsatisfactory, as
reliable information is very difficult to obtain. In cases where interference
with the normal physiological process is suspected the patient, while in
hospital, gives little or no information which will assist in the
investigation.
The Council have given serious consideration to the question of
maternal mortality, and for some years past arrangements have been
made with a Consulting Obstetrician to visit cases of Puerperal Fever
and Puerperal Pyrexia in consultation with general practitioners (see
page 89).