London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Chelsea 1931

Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for Chelsea, 1931

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TABLE No. 26.

Death-rate per 1,000 Births.
Year.Puerperal Fever.Other complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth.Total Dea;th-rate.
19302.502.50
19314.081.365.44

During the year further efforts were made to ensure that in Chelsea
still better results will accrue from the measures already in operation to
diminish the risk involved in childbirth. The valuable reports by Dame
Janet Campbell issued by the Ministry of Health, have clearly shown
the necessity for such increased effort. Neglect in the past of provision
for the early diagnosis of conditions inimical to the health of mothers
has resulted not only in a high mortality rate but also in a considerable
and largely avoidable amount of suffering and invalidity amongst the
survivors.
In the case of every maternal death during the year the circumstances
were fully investigated by the Medical Officer of Health, the findings being
reported to the Ministry of Health.
Puerperal fever, in particular, is a disease requiring early, active and
efficient treatment. The type of treatment and the highly-skilled nursing
involved are quite out of reach of the poorer sections of the community
in their own homes. These invariably consist of small flats and tenements
entirely lacking in facilities for confinement. Wherever possible
in such cases arrangements are made for the women to be confined in
a maternity hospital or home, and there can be no doubt as to the desirability
of women entering an institution when the home conditions are
not satisfactory. Efficient treatment is provided by the Public Assistance
Committee, and also, with a view to providing for the safe confinement
of such cases, most of the Metropolitan Borough Councils have made
special arrangements. In addition, the Ministry of Health has provided
for the admission of cases to certain of the London County Council
Hospitals. Some patients, however, are unwilling to enter an institution
situated at any considerable distance from their homes. With the
sanction of the Ministry of Health the Borough Council has made arrangements
for the services of a skilled obstetric consultant in puerperal
cases and in cases of difficult labour, when desired by the medical
practitioner in attendance. Two such cases required consultation
during the year.
HEALTH VISITORS.
Duties.- The duties allotted to the Health Visitors are as follows:—
1. To visit the homes of all newly-born children amongst the
working classes within 21 days after birth, and subsequently as circumstances
dictate.