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42
It is gratifying to report that only two cases of Puerperal Fever
occurred during the year. In the first case the patient, aged 21 years,
was sent to hospital, delivery being obstructed and craniotomy found
to be essential. The doctor in his report wrote "The probable cause
of the pyrexia was infection after rupture of the membranes before
the birth of the child. Whether the infection came from a previously
septic vagina or was introduced from without is unknown."
This case serves to show that if all pregnant women were examined
at the Ante-natal Centre, any narrowness, etc., would be detected and
such operations as craniotomy would, to a large extent, become unnecessary.
The second case followed a miscarriage, the patient being sent to
hospital. The case was notified to us some eleven days afterwards.
Puerperal Pyrexia.
Case No.
1. Forceps were required, as delivery was obstructed. Some injury
to tissues unavoidable. Patient removed to hospital.
2. Case of prolonged labour. No ante-natal visits paid by patient.
3. Normal labour. Temperature due to bladder affection. Dr.
Gilliatt called in consultation.
4. No assignable cause.
5. Patient had made no arrangements for her confinement in the
way of engaging a doctor or midwife; her mother, a handy
woman, attended her. A midwife was called in afterwards and
later a doctor. Patient developed Pneumonia and was removed
to hospital. No ante-natal supervision. Infection may have
been conveyed by the handy woman.
6. Case of delayed labour. Forceps required, and the afterbirth
had to be removed. No ante-natal visits paid.
7. Temperature due to influenza.
8. No assignable cause.
9. Temperature due to influenza.
10. Temperature due to influenza.
In the remaining six cases there was no assignable cause. One or
two points are quite clear. We shall continue to have these cases so