London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Merton and Morden 1939
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton & Morden]
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MATERNAL MORTALITY.
Four deaths were recorded as being due to maternal
causes, in each case death was due to other causes, as distinct
from sepsis. The Maternal mortality rate was 3.93 per thousand
total births as against a rate of 2.95 in 1938. The rate for
England and Wales was 2.82.
The cause of death in each case was certified to be:—
(1) 1 (a) Uremia.
(b) Acute toxic nephrosis.
(c) Pregnancy.
(2) 1(a) Pulmonary embolism—Puerperal.
(b) Post partum hæmorrhage.
2 Natural delivery.
(3) 1(a) Peritonitis.
(b) Cæsarian Section.
(c) Failed forceps and failed extraction.
(4) 1(a) Haemorrhage and shock to marginal placenta
prævia and Brow presentation.
TABLE VI. MATERNAL MORTALITY, 1924-39.
| Year | Death rate per thousand t.otal births | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sepsis | Other causes | Total | |
| 1924 | — | 32 | 3.2 |
| 1925 | - | 6.5 | 65 |
| 1926 | — | — | — |
| 1927 | - | 2.8 | 2.8 |
| 1928 | - | - | - |
| 1929 | 2.2 | — | 2 2 |
| 1930 | — | 2.2 | 2.2 |
| 1931 | 1 6 | 3.1 | 4.7 |
| 1932 | 5.1 | 2.5 | 7.7 |
| 1933 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 4.3 |
| 1934 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 5.0 |
| 1935 | — | 2.6 | 2.6 |
| 1936 | 2.4 | — | 2.4 |
| 1937 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 2.4 |
| 1988 | 0.98 | 1.96 | 2.95 |
| 1989 | - | 3.93 | 3.93 |
Maternal deaths occurring within the area are enquired
into personally by the Medical Officer of Health and a confidential
report in each case is forwarded to the Maternal
Mortality Committee of the Ministry of Health in accordance
with the recommendation contained in the Committee's report
on Maternal Mortality.
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