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87
One hundred and eighty-eight cases of Erysipelas have
been notified during 1912, as compared with 177 in 1911, 138
in 1910, and 179 in 1909. There were four deaths registered
from the disease within the borough and in outlying institutions.
In each notified case the premises have been visited and
enquiries made, and where necessary disinfection performed.
Puerperal Fever.
1912 Average for
previous 10 years.
Number of Cases 8 5
Number of Deaths 3 —
The eight cases of puerperal fever notified have been
notified in the practice of midwives, and compared with 2, 2,
and 6 for the three years preceding.
Three deaths occurred as compared with one in each of
the three preceding years.
The death rate was equal to 0.027 per 1,000, compared
with 0.009, 0.008, and 0.008 for the three preceding years.
The case mortality was 37.5 per cent. compared with 50 per
cent. for 1911.
Such a low death rate, however, speaks well for the midwives
of the borough, who attend by far the greater number
of the births. The mothers also have either followed the
advice of their nurses as regards cleanliness, or have been the
creatures of providence. It is a notable fact that the deaths
from this disease are very often the result of gross carelessness
on the part of the mothers themselves, because many of them
do not trouble to prepare clean bedding for their lying-in. This
is not always due to actual dirty habits, but to the fact that
they do not wish to soil their bedding, not knowing, in their
ignorance that at the time of their confinement cleanliness is of
the first importance.