View report page

118
It. is my custom immediately to write to the notifying doctor
asking him the following questions:—
"I am investigating the question of still-births for statistical and
other reasons. It is a subject respecting which I find it extremely
difficult to get information.
I should be glad if you could give me any help in the matter.
During the year 1925 the following case was notified to me by you as
occurring in your practice:—
Would you mind telling me what, in your opinion, was the cause of
the still-birth? For instance, was it due to:—
(a) difficult labour?
(b) mal-presentation?
(c) specific disease in the parents?
(d) kidney or heart disease in the parents?
(e) any other cause?
I should also be grateful of any suggestions you may care to make as
to the prevention of still-births generally."
and I would again like to record the great help so willingly given
in answer to my letters. Answers were received to all the letters
relating to the 21 cases, and the doctors ascribed the still-births to the
causes as stated above. All these reports were dealt with by the Special
Sub-Committee.
Maternal Deaths.
Five maternal deaths occurred in the Borough during the year,
and were reviewed by the sub-Committee. These maternal deaths were
due to the following causes:—
A.C., married, 27. "Post partum eclampsia and coma."
L.O., single, 27. "Abortion and puerperal septicaemia."
A.G., married, 29. " Hyperemises gravidarum and cardiac
failure."
M.B., married, 27. " Septic abortion and pyaemia."
E.D., married, 38. "Tubal gestation."
The Sub-Committee reported that, among other things, they were
very impressed with the large number of still-births and infant deaths
which were attributed to difficulties of labour, principally malpresentation
and undue prolongation. In consequence of their report,
the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee reported to the Council on
23rd July, 1925, as follows:—
"That they have had under consideration the question of
obtaining the services of consulting obstetricians, who could be called
in by general practitioners in difficult cases.