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37
Puerperal Fever.—Five cases (with 1 death) were reported in
1904; this is about the average rate for the last twelve years. The
Westminster rate is half the average rate for all London. Two of the
cases occurred in St. John's, 2 in Victoria, and 1 in Great Marlborough
Wards. If the number of puerperal cases are compared with those of
erysipelas, which doubtless contains more than one form of bloodpoisoning,
it will be observed that the two sets of figures rise and
fall together, showing that the same causes are at work in their
production.
Midwives Act, 1902.—The Public Health Committee had before
them a letter from the London County Council, dated the 26th July,
1904, on the subject of the administration of the Midwives Act, 1902,
in the County of London, stating that the County Council had had
their attention called to the directions to midwives contained in
Section E of the Rules of the Central Midwives Board, number 5 of
which directions was as follows: —
"Whenever a midwife has been in attendance upon a patient
suffering from puerperal fever, or from any other fever supposed
to be infectious, she must disinfect herself and all her
instruments and other appliances to the satisfaction of the local
sanitary authority, and must have her clothing thoroughly
disinfected before going to another labour. Unless otherwise
directed by the local supervising authority, all washable clothing
should be boiled, and other clothing should be sent to be stoved
(by the local sanitary authority), and then exposed freely to the
open air for several days."
That in view of the fact that the midwife has to satisfy the local
sanitary authority under this rule, the City Council might like to have
its attention drawn to the matter; and assuming that the City Council
would have no objection to the use of its disinfecting premises and
apparatus for the purposes in question.
The London County Council was informed that the City Council
have no objection to their disinfecting chambers and apparatus being
used for the purposes referred to.