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70
PUERPERAL FEVER.
During 1909, in the Borough of Lambeth, 8 deaths were
registered from Puerperal Fever (a disease or child-bed),
and 16 cases notified, giving a case-mortality of 50 per
cent. 7 of the patients (3 from the Inner and 4 from the
Outer Districts) were removed to Hospital.
The annual averages for 10 years (1891-1900) in the
Parish of Lambeth are (1) notified cases, 18.9; and (2)
deaths, 11.5; whilst, in the Borough of Lambeth during
1908, 10 cases were notified, and 6 deaths registered.
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.
8445 births were registered in the Borough of Lambeth during
1909, and in only 16 cases was Puerperal Fever notified
—a most 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 for periods varying
from 2 to 3 weeks each as required. One Midwife was
cautioned, but in no instance was it found necessary to take
legal action against any Midwife, during 1909.
In London, during 1909, there were registered 170 deaths
(uncorrected) out of a total of 287 cases of Puerperal Fever
notified (uncorrected), giving a case-mortality of 59.2 per
cent. (uncorrected).