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19281
14
In connection with research into the cases of Puerperal Fever and Puerperal
Pyrexia, the Metropolitan Asylums Board have very kindly offered facilities for
examination of swabs taken from persons who have been in attendance on confinement
cases. Following- the circular which was issued by the Medical Officer
of Health to medical practitioners in the Borough, four swabs were examined
during the year.
Cases which died of Puerperal Septicaemia.
i. A swab from the eye of the handywoman in attendance revealed
streptococci veridans.
ii. A swab from the septic finger of a handywoman showed Haemolytic
streptococci, Haemolytic staphylococci Albus, Haemolytic
Aureus.
The other two were non-fatal cases of " Pyrexia."
(a) A swab from the septic finger of a handywoman showed a mixed
growth of Haemolytic streptococci and staphylococci.
(b) A swab from the throat of a nurse in attendance showed Non-
haemolytic staphylococci albus, Streptococci veridans, Diphtheroid
bacilli. No Haemolytic streptococci present.
It will be noted that two of these cases, notified as "Pyrexia" were registered
as dying of Puerperal Sepsis. The advantage of the notification of Puerperal
Pyrexia is therefore apparent. The term takes in, of course, many cases which
are not real Puerperal Fever, but occasionally what is considered simply as Pyrexia
may eventually prove to be Puerperal Fever (Sepsis).
PEMPHIGUS NEONATORUM.
During the year 19.28, 16 cases which came to the knowledge of the Medical
Officer of Health were investigated.
THE MILK SCHEME FOR NECESSITOUS EXPECTANT AND NURSING
MOTHERS AND CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE.
During the year 1928, the sum expended in the provision of fresh and dried
milk for necessitous, expectant and nursing mothers, and children under five years
of age, amounted to £1,702 14s. 2d., as against £2,144 10s. 5d. in 1927. The
total amount expended since the Order came into operation in 1918 is
£49,955 14s. 3d.
The total recipients during the year numbered 6,968, and the quantity of
milk supplied to them was equal to 134,941 pints (16,867½ gallons).
The scheme for the distribution of milk adopted by resolution of the Council
on the 21st January, 1927, given below, was in operation from the 1st January,
1928, up to 30th June, 1928.