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2. Another death was in a woman, aged 36 years with five living
children, with a history of a long labour resulting in a stillbirth
in 1936. Her death was due to syncope and peritonitis following
a ruptured uterus.
The woman was suffering from primary uterine inertia, and,
although Caesarian section was considered, it was thought safer,
as she was extremely fat and a chronic bronchitic, to allow the
woman to continue labour and, if necessary, apply forceps.
The rupture of the uterus appeared to be spontaneous before
the application of the forceps.
The case was further complicated by a retained placenta,
which had to be removed under an anaesthetic.
The investigations made showed that the confinement was
one fraught with extreme difficulties and conducted with skill
by an expert consultant.
Report on Circular 1622 (Ministry of Health);
The following is an extract from my Report on the above,
dated 14th May:—
This Circular refers to the Report on Maternal Mortality
recently issued by the Minister of Health. The Report has been
issued as the result of special investigations which have been
made during the last few years by certain Medical Officers with
special experience of the question.
It is pointed out that the young married woman in normal
health, provided she takes the ordinary and sensible precautions
which her doctor or the medical staff at the Ante-natal Clinic advise,
need have no anxiety of the risk she will run in childbirth.
In 1934, as a result of Circular 1433, Ministry of Health,
I submitted a detailed statement showing the extent of the
activities of the Council in connection with the arrangements in
the Borough for Midwifery generally. It was shown that the
Borough Council's arrangements were comprehensive and complete,
the domiciliary midwifery being carried out by virtue of an agreement
with St. Bartholomew's Hospital, the City of London
Maternity Hospital, and the Royal Northern Hospital. Since 1934