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20
PUERPERAL PYREXIA.
This condition is defined as:—
"Any febrile condition (other than a condition which is required to he notified as
puerperal fever) occurring in a woman within 21 days after childbirth or miscarriage
in which a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, or more, has been sustained
during a period of 24 hours or has recurred during that period."
The febrile condition referred to in the above definition may be due to any cause, and it
may be to some cause quite independent of the puerperal condition. It may, however, be
the precursor of the more serious condition known as puerperal fever, and it is with this in
view that the numerous conditions comprised under the term puerperal pyrexia are made
notifiable.
During the year 31 cases of puerperal pyrexia were notified, 27 of which occurred within
or were removed to institutions. Two of the patients were nursed in Queen Charlotte's
Hospital Isolation Block, one wholly and the other partly at the expense of the Council, the
total expenditure incurred being £23 7s. 3d.
During the year the Council retained the services of Mr. Aleck W. Bourne, F.R.C.S.
(England), Obstetric Surgeon to Out-patients, St. Mary's Hospital, to act in a consultative
capacity, for cases of puerperal fever and puerperal pyrexia. Two requests for his assistance
were made to the Council during the year.
ERYSIPELAS.
Sixty (60) cases were notified, 29 of which occurred within or were removed to
hospitals.
ACUTE POLIO-MYELITIS.
Two cases of this disease, otherwise known as Infantile Paralysis, were notified and
received treatment in hospital. Owing to the serious after-effects, such as deformities, which
result from this disease much care is taken to keep in touch with all cases previously
notified. Recent experience tends to show that most of the cases notified bv doctors receive
all the necessary remedial treatment. It is evident that the possibility of preventing the
onset of serious deformities is now realised by parents and doctors more than formerly.
ACUTE POLIO-ENCEPHALITIS.
One case of this disease, somewhat similar in its nature to the last mentioned, was
notified, and received treatment in hospital.
ACUTE ENCEPHALITIS LETHARGICA.
No case of this disease was notified.
CEREBRO-SPINAL FEVER.
Nine cases of this disease were notified in 1932. All were treated in hospital. Six of
the nine cases proved fatal, five of the patients dying of Cerebro-spinal fever and one of
tubercular meningitis. There was a further death of a patient who had not been notified.
MALARIA.
One case of this disease was notified.
ACUTE PRIMARY PNEUMONIA, ACUTE INFLUENZAL PNEUMONIA.
One hundred and eighty-four (184) cases of acute primary pneumonia were notified in
1932 as compared with 243 in 1931, 168 in 1930, 247 in 1929 and 202 in 1928. Of the 184
cases, 131 were nursed in institutions. Sixty-six (66) cases of acute influenzal pneumonia
were notified as compared with 97 in 1931, 40 in 1930, 135 in 1929 and 59 in 1928. Of the
66 cases, 25 were nursed in institutions.
Sixty-three (63) cases of pneumonia of all kinds received nursing attention at home
under the auspices of the Council scheme for district nursing, 1,197 visits being paid.
ANTHRAX.
No case of this disease was notified during the year.