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102
Five cases of Puerperal Fever were notified, 2 of which occurred
in Hospitals and 2 in the Council's Maternity Home. One of the
latter proved fatal. Nine cases of Puerperal Pyrexia were notified,
3 occurring in East Greenwich, 1 in St. Nicholas, Deptford, and 5
in Charlton and Kidbrooke.
Health Week, etc.—The usual teas and entertainment given to
the mothers and children attending the Welfare Centres were continued.
Lectures and talks were given by various members of the
staff.
Maternity Home.
The number of patients admitted during the year was 397
patients, of whom 54 were admitted to the Home for several days'
ante-natal treatment. The number of cases delivered by the midwives
of the Home was 376, the remainder by the Medical Staff. In 43
instances medical assistance was sought by the midwives. There was
one Caesarian section, 21 instrumental deliveries, and 13 surgical
inductions.
Twenty-seven infants were not entirely breast fed whilst in the
Home.
No cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum occurred in the Home.
The number of infant deaths, within ten days of birth was nine,
the causes being attributed to:—
Premature 5
Diaphragmatic Hernia 1
Congenital Heart Disease 2
Atelectasis 1
There were 12 still births.
Two cases of Puerperal Fever were notified under the Puerperal
Fever and Pyrexia Regulations. In one case, which unfortunately
terminated fatally, the patient had severe toxaemia pregnancy.
Surgical induction was performed and subsequently the services of
the Council's Consultant was found necessary and a macerated foetus
delivered by forceps. In connection with the investigation into the
cause of death it was elicited from relatives that the patient had two
bad attacks of diphtheria when 16 years of age and severe small-pox
only 3 years ago. A sister had also died in childbirth, the cause
being attributed to toxaemia. These particulars were not divulged
by the patient when she booked to go into the Home. The other
case made good recovery.
There were also 4 cases of Puerperal Pyrexia reported in the
Home during the month of October. The first case was suspected to
be scarlet fever as it transpired that the patient previous to admission