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years. The death-rate was 0.005 per 1,000 population.
The death-rate for London was 0.03 per 1,000 population.
The only death from puerperal fever in 1912 occurred in NorthWest
Battersea.
In 1911 nine cases of puerperal fever were notified and two
deaths were registered from the disease. In 1910 sixteen cases
were notified and six deaths were registered from the disease.
Puerperal fever is a preventable disease and is caused by want
of care by those in attendance on the lying-in woman. During
1912, 4,255 births were registered in or as belonging to the
Borough of Battersea. It is satisfactory to note, therefore, that
the death-rate from this disease was exceedingly small. In all
cases of puerperal fever notified to the Medical Officer of Health
enquiries are at once made and the midwife or nurse in attendance
is visited at her home. Arrangements are immediately made for
the attendance of the midwife at the Shelter, Sheepcote Lane,
where she is provided with a sanitary bath, her clothing, instruments,
etc., being at the same time disinfected at the Disinfecting
Station adjoining.
Nurses and midwives who had been in attendance on puerperal
fever cases or in contact with other diseases while attending
lying-in cases, attended at the Shelter for purpose of disinfection.
Erysipelas.
During 1912, in the Borough of Battersea, 134 cases of
erysipelas were notified and four deaths were registered from the
disease, as compared with 161 cases and three deaths in 1911.
The case-mortality was 2.9 per cent., as compared with 1.8 per
cent, in 1911, and 4.7 per cent, in 1910. The case-rate was 0.79
and the death-rate 0.02, being 0.13 and 0.02 below the decennial
average respectively.
Twenty-nine cases were removed to hospital, the majority
going to union infimaries and the remainder to general hospitals.
In London during 1912, 4,098 cases of erysipelas were notified
and 152 deaths registered from the disease;giving a case-mortality
of 3.7 per cent.
Epidemic Cerebro-spinal Meningitis.
During 1912 no case of epidemic cerebro-spinal meningitis
was notified in Battersea. In 1911, seven cases, and in 1910,
five were notified.
In the County of London 105 cases of epidemic cerebro-spinal
meningitis were notified during 1912.