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also notifiable. It is "any febrile condition (other than puerperal fever)
occurring in a woman within 21 days after childbirth, or miscarriage, in
which a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahr., or more, has been sustained
during a period of 24 hours, or has recurred during that period." A form
of notification is also prescribed for puerperal pyrexia. This term differs
from puerperal fever in that it does not imply any cause for the abnormal
condition such as is associated with the term puerperal fever. Both
conditions, therefore, are notifiable, and the Minister has empowered
authorities administering the Maternity and Child Welfare Act to provide
assistance in the diagnosis, treatment, and nursing of cases which are
notified to the Medical Officer of Health.
On the notification forms the medical practitioner can request:—
(1) A second opinion on the case.
(2) A bacteriological examination of blood or of a discharge.
(3) Hospital treatment (admission).
(4) A trained nurse.
The Council have made provision for meeting the requirements of
medical practitioners who may request any of the facilities mentioned.
The arrangements were to be of a tentative nature, whilst experience
of the working of the Regulations was being gained during a period of
six months.
Dr. Stanley Dodd, senior obstetric surgeon to Westminster Hospital,
was appointed as obstetric consultant during this period. Dr. Braxton
Hicks, of Westminster Hospital, the Council's bacteriologist, undertook
to examine specimens submitted to him under these Regulations, special
apparatus being supplied by the Council.
Hospital treatment was already provided by the Metropolitan Asylums
Board and at St. Stephen's Hospital, while mild cases could be admitted to
general hospitals. Arrangements for nursing at home were made with the
three District Nursing Associations, who already provide nursing services
in the City under the Council's Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme.
A circular letter was addressed to all medical practitioners practising
in the City, informing them as to the Regulations and of the facilities which
the Council had provided.
Polio-myelitis.—Considerable interest was aroused in the latter part
of the year owing to outbreaks in various parts of the country. Those
affecting private preparatory schools in Broadstairs and Uppingham
School attracted public attention. In both instances the schools
were closed and the boys sent home. The homes of six contacts
were in Westminster, but none of these developed the disease, nor was
there any evidence that they carried the infection to others..