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SEPTIC DISEASES.
25
cent.) in excess of the average. As the disease is limited to females of child-bearing ages (15
to 45 years) the morbidity rates have been calculated per 1,000 females estimated living at those
ages. In the Borough the rate was 0.28 last year, as compared with 0.21 in 1901, and in the
Metropolis 0.23 and 0.21 respectively. The morbidity rates per 1,000 persons of all ages in the
Borough and the Selected Districts are given in Table 20. The lowest rate was that of Westminster
(0.03) and the highest that of Marylebone (0.10), that of the Borough being 0.08.
Calculated on the numbers of females at ages from 15 to 45 years, the rates for last year
in the Selected Districts were:—
Kensington 0.22 Hampstead 0.21
Westminster 0.09 Willesden 0.22
Marylebone 0.30
The increase in the prevalence of the disease last year occurred in the Registration SubDistricts,
St. John and North-West Paddington (See Table 16), there being a slight diminution
in the number of cases in St. Mary (a decrease of one case, equal to 13 per cent. of the
average). The figures for the Wards for the last two years will be found in Table 17.
The prevalence of the disease may also be guaged by the number of births registered.
For every 1,000 births registered in the Borough there were 4 (more exactly 4.23) cases of
puerperal fever last year, as compared with 2.97 in 1901, the corresponding rates for the
Metropolis being 2.35 and 1.91 respectively. The corresponding rates for last year in the
adjacent districts were as below:—
Kensington 4.30 Hampstead 4.51
Westminster 1.82 Willesden 2.04
Marylebone 3.52
The deaths registered under this head numbered 5 in each of the last two years, representing
a fatality of 35.71 per cent. in 1902 and of 50 per cent. in 1901. In the Metropolis
the deaths were equal to fatalities of 64.32 per cent. in 1902 and 73.30 in 1901. Such high
fatalities seem almost incredible and suggest that all cases of this disease are not reported.
Of the 14 cases reported, nine were attended by women who had received no training, a
fact almost sufficient of itself to account for the illness. In three cases surgical intervention
was necessary. In one of the cases included in the foregoing the confinement took place
within a fortnight of the notification of a case of erysipelas, the patient sickening three days after
her confinement. Two cases were reported from adjacent houses, an interval of nine months
elapsing between the two. The houses overlook an underground stable belonging to a cab
proprietor. Some two years ago proceedings were instituted to obtain an order prohibiting
the use of the stables, but were unsuccessful.
In addition to the deaths from puerperal fever, eight deaths took place during the year
from other causes associated with confinements (scheduled (Table IV., Appendix) as
"Diseases and Accidents of Childbirth"). Including the deaths from such causes, it appears
that the total number of deaths in childbed last year was 13, as compared with 9 in 1901.
The deaths were respectively equal to rates of 0.27 and 0.18 per 1,000 females aged 15 to 45
years. In the Metropolis the total number of deaths were 414 in 1902 and 403 in 1901, corresponding
to rates of 0.33 and 0.32. Below will be found the corresponding figures for the three
Registration Sub-Districts of the Borough. Nothing is at present known of the mortality
from these causes in the adjacent districts.
1902.
All Deaths in Childbed.
Mortality Rates per 1,000
Females aged
15-45 years.
Births
Registered.
BOROUGH 13 0.27 3.93
St. Mary 9 0.31 3.08
St. John 2 0.13 5.18
North-West Paddington 2 0.49 4.20