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58
Erysipelas.
1915 Average of
previous 10 years.
Number of Cases 146 175
Number of Deaths 5 —
One hundred and forty-six cases of Erysipelas have been notified
during 1915, as compared with 225 in 1914, 230 in 1913, and 188
in 1912. There were five 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.
1915 Average for
previous 10 years.
Number of Cases 4 5
Number of Deaths 1 —
Four cases of puerperal fever were notified, compared with 5, 1 and
8, for the three years preceding.
The death rate was equal to 0.009 per 1,000, compared with 0.046,
0.009, and 0.027 for the three preceding years.
The case mortality was 25 per cent, compared with 40 per
cent, for 1914.
Should a case of Puerperal Fever be notified it is carefully enquired
into by the Medical Officer of Health and the Health Visitor. Disinfection
is carried out, and every effort made to prevent further
cases.
In addition to the above the following section of the rules of the
Central Midwives' Board was rigorously enforced:—
"Whenever a midwife has been in attendance upon a patient
suffering from puerperal fever or from any other illness supposed to
be infectious, she must disinfect herself and all her instruments and
other appliances, to the satisfaction of the local Sanitary Authority,
and must have her clothing thoroughly disinfected before going to
another labour. Unless otherwise directed by the supervising
authority, all washable clothing should be boiled, and other clothing
should be sent to be stoved (by the local Sanitary Authority), and
then exposed freely to the open air for several days."
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
This serious affection which attacks the eyes of newly-born infants
is caused by the entrance of certain bacteria into the eyes usually at