View report page

89
How the first case became infected is not very clear, but it is
extremely probable Mrs. B. and her two children were infected
by William L.
Forty-nine samples of blood were submitted for bacteriological
examination for the Widal reaction for typhoid, and in
8 (i.e., 16.3 per cent.) a positive result was obtained.
Improved methods of diagnosis have proved of great
assistance in bringing to light the true nature of diseases such
as typhoid, in which the symptoms are frequently obscure.
In many of these mild obscure cases it is extremely important,
in order to prevent the spread of infection, to be able to
recognise the disease in the early stage. For this purpose the
Widal reaction has been found most useful, and is being very
generally employed by the medical practitioners in the
Borough, with satisfactory results, as the records for the year
sufficiently indicate.
Puerperal Fever.
During 1907, in the Borough of Battersea, 13 cases of
Puerperal Fever were notified, and 7 deaths were registered,
giving a case-mortality of 53.8 per cent. The case-rate was
.07, or *02 above the mean case-rate for the preceding ten years.
The death-rate was .03, and was equal to the decennial average.
The death-rate for London was .05. Four deaths occurred in
East Battersea, two in North-West Battersea, and one in SouthWest
Battersea.
In 1906 the case-mortality was 61.3 per cent.
Puerperal fever is a preventable disease, and is caused by
want of care by those in attendance on the lying-in woman.
During 1906 4,574 births were registered in Battersea, and in
only 13 cases was puerperal fever notified—a highly satisfactory
record. In each case enquiries were made and the midwives
•
in attendance were visited at their homes. Arrangements were
at once made for their personal attendance at the Reception
Shelter in Sheepcote Lane, where each of them had a sanitary