View report page

46
The object of these Regulations is to secure the more effective
control of Puerperal Fever. This disease has, of course, been made
a notifiable infectious disease for many years past. Unfortunately,
mainly no doubt owing to the ill-defined character of this disease,
which is not a specific disease comparable, for example, with
Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria, experience has shewn that many
cases are not notified. Failure to notify has given rise not only
to lack of accurate knowledge of its incidence and mortality, but
has also prevented the securing of more effective administrative
preventive measures against the disease.
The new Regulations should be found to a great extent to
secure improved and more accurate statistical data as to this
dangerous disease and consequently more efficient measures of
prevention and treatment. Provision can be made by the Sanitary
Authority with the sanction of the Ministry of Health for (1) Assistance
in diagnosis by the appointment of a Consultant Specialist;
(2) Institutional treatment ; (3) Special treatment of cases of
Puerperal Pyrexia and (4) Skilled nursing. The Ministry of
Health in the circular letter accompanying the Regulations
impressed upon Sanitary Authorities the necessity of making
suitable provision on these lines, and in Battersea, the Council
have made all adequate provision for the purpose. These summarised
briefly include
The appointment of a consultant (Mr. A. H. Richardson,
F.R.C.S., of St. Thomas's Hospital) to assist medical
practitioners, when required, in the diagnosis of doubtful
cases.
Facilities for the examination of lochia or specimens from
patients.
Removal of patients to the hospitals of the Metropolitan
Asylums Board.
Arrangements with the South London District Nursing Association
for the nursing of notified cases.
The number of cases of puerperal pyrexia notified during 1926,
after the Regulations came into force, was nine.
Acute Polio-Myelitis.
There were 6 cases of acute Polio-Mvelitis notified in Battersea
during 1926. There was 1 death from the disease..
At the end of the year there were still under treatment 21 cases,
including 16 cases notified prior to 1926. Of these 21 cases 19 cases
were of children under 5 years of age when notified.
All these cases were carefully enquired into and kept under
observation during the year.