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60
(Parish) and 1901-1910 (Borough) are respectively (1)
notified cases, 18.9 and 17.0, and (2) deaths 11.5 and 7.8.
Puerperal fever is a preventable disease, and is caused
through want of care on the part of the nurse, or the
medical practitioner, attending upon a lying-in woman.
8,173 births were registered in the Borough during 1913,
and in only 25 cases was puerperal fever notified—a
satisfactory fact to be able to report. In each case
enquiries were made, and the Midwives (when in attendance)
were visited at their homes, their rooms (or houses) and
clothes disinfected, and their other patients (being attended
at the time) followed up and watched as required.
ERYSIPELAS.
During 1913, in the Borough of Lambeth, 206 cases of
erysipelas were notified and 8 deaths registered, giving a
case-mortality of 3.9 per cent. Of the 206 cases notified,
59 (i.e., 28.6 per cent.) were removed to hospital. The
annual averages for the two decennia 1891-1900 (Parish)
and 1901-1910 (Borough) are respectively (1) notified cases
347.0 and 140.8, and (2) deaths 17.7 and 12.3.
The advantages from the notification of erysipelas are
few, as the majority of cases notified as “erysipelas” are
not such as were contemplated by the framers of the
Notification Act.
DIARRHŒA.
During the year 1913 there were registered in the
Borough, 166 deaths from diarrhœa, as compared with
yearly averages of 196.7 and 173.0 respectively for the two
decennia 1891-1900 (Parish) and 1901-10 (Borough).