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NOTIFICATION OF THE SEPTIC DISEASES.
The Septic class of diseases, popularly known as blood-poisoning, includes
erysipelas, pyaemia and septicaemia, and puerperal fever.
Whereas erysipelas attacks the surfaces, the skin and mucous membranes, and
the tissues lying beneath, pyœmia and septicaemia affect the deeper parts and
internal organs, the puerperal form commencing in the female pelvis.
Pyœmia and Septicœmia.—The difference between pyœmia and septicaemia is one
of degree, the former referring to a subacute or chronic condition of local septic
foci, and the latter to an acute general distribution throughout the body. These
diseases are not included amongst the dangerous infectious diseases notifiable to the
Medical Officer of Health.
Puerperal Fever.—The opinion of the Royal College of Physicians was sought by
the London County Council, in the Autumn of the year, submitting the question:
"Whether the diseases peritonitis and metritis, occurring in connection with
parturition, as well as puerperal pyaemia, puerperal septicaemia, and puerperal
saprœmia, all of which the Registrar-General includes under 'puerperal fever' were
covered by that term for the purposes of notification." A Committee of the Royal
College of Physicians, to whom the question was referred, gave the following
reply
"That this Committee is of opinion that, with a view to the limitation of
dangerous infectious diseases, the London County Council would be acting rightly
in adopting the view that the expression 'puerperal fever,' as contained in section
55 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, should be taken to include septicaemia,
pyaemia, septic peritonitis, septic metritis, and other acute septic inflammations in
the pelvis occurring as the direct result of child-birth."
The Obstetrical Society of London gave a similar reply to a similar question
submitted to them by the Metropolitan Branch of the Incorporated Society of
Medical Officers of Health.