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138
1912]
PUERPERAL FEVER.
Sixteen cases were notified, as compared with 14 in 1911, 20 in 1910. and
14 in 1909. The return is 4 below the corrected average of the preceding
10 years, during which time only on two occasions was the record so good,
viz:—in 1909 and 1911, when the returns showed 14 cases for each year.
From 1891 to 1900 the cases averaged 29, as contrasted with 16,
as already stated, in the 10 years 1902-11. There has, therefore, been a
decrease in the number of attacks of this terrible disease of late years.
One cannot help thinking that it is probable that they would become fewer
if there were such an institution in the borough as a School for Mothers, at
which women about to become mothers could attend, and where they would
receive good advice as to the care of themselves and their surroundings during
the time of their lying-in.
Hospital Isolation —9, or 11.1 per cent., of the puerperal cases were
removed to hospital for treatment, while 7 remained at home.
Fatality.—2 deaths occurred among the 16 cases, and represented a
fatality rate of 12.5 per cent. This is a very low rate, for in the preceding
year it amounted to 50.0 per cent. It has never fallen so low.