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35
Maternal Mortality.—The number of Deaths from Puerperal
Sepsis and other Accidents and Diseases of Pregnancy was 2.
Both died in Hospital. This gives a maternal death rate of 1.5
per 1,000 live births. On comparison with the Registrar General's
Returns, however, it was observed that one case which was associated
with Peritonitis had been assigned to that disease which makes
a corrected maternal death rate of .75 per 1,000 live births.
The Maternal Mortality Rate for England and Wales was 3.23.
In addition two deaths were recorded which were associated
with pregnancy. The first case was a woman age 34 with a history
of two difficult pregnancies. She had booked with a midwife
(8th February, 1937) who only accepted the case on the understanding
that she would be under the care of her own Doctor.
The patient also paid regular visits to the Borough Ante-Natal
Clinic. On the 18th May the Maternity and Child Welfare Medical
Officer communicated with the midwife advising that the patient
should stay in bed and be under the care of her own Doctor. There
appeared to be some misunderstanding and possibly, lack of
co-operation, for the patient's condition grew worse and she was
admitted to Hospital on the 31st May in a moribund condition.
Death took place shortly after admission, the cause being attributed
to myocarditis due to Eclamptic Toxaemia of pregnancy.
A post mortem examination revealed gall bladder disease. In
the second case the patient aged 29 had only booked with a midwife
for a period of six weeks and was attended by her own Doctor
on and off during the whole time of pregnancy for chest trouble.
Four days before her confinement the patient was caught
in a storm. A normal confinement followed but within four days
her Doctor was called in on account of acute chest pains. Patient
was admitted to Hospital immediately but succumbed within two
days the cause being attributed to Broncho-Pneumonia.
Puerperal Fever and Puerperal Pyrexia Regulations,
1926.—The arrangements made by the Council under the provisions
of the Puerperal Fever and Puerperal Pyrexia Regulations, 1926,
whereby obstetric consultants are available to assist local medical
practitioners, continue in force. This service was provided on
one occasion.
Eight cases of Puerperal Fever and twenty-eight of Puerperal
Pyrexia were notified as compared with 22 for the previous year.
27 occurred in Hospitals, 8 in the Council's Maternity Home and
the remaining case was reported from a private Nursing Home.
Pneumonia.—Facilities are available for examination of
expectoration in order to discover the type of disease; in addition,
serum for treatment may be supplied in necessitous cases on request
from the local medical practitioner.