View report page

73
PUERPERAL FEVER.
During 1908, in the Borough of Lambeth, 6 deaths were
registered from Puerperal Fever (a disease of child-bed), and
10 cases notified, giving a case-mortality of 40.8 per cent.
5 of the patients were removed to Hospital.
The annual averages for 10 years (1891-1900) in the Parish
of Lambeth are (1) notified cases, 18.9; and (2) deaths, 11.5;
whilst, in the Borough of Lambeth during 1907, 22 cases
were notified, and 9 deaths registered.
Puerperal Fever is a preventable disease, and is caused
through want of care on the part of the nurse, or the medical
practitioner, attending upon a lying-in woman. 8906 births
were registered in the Borough of Lambeth during 1908, and
in only 10 cases was Puerperal Fever notified—a most satisfactory
fact to be able to report. In each case enquiries were
made, and the Midwives (when in attendance) were visited at
their homes, their rooms (or houses) and clothes disinfected,
and their other cases (being attendeed at the time) followed up
and watched for periods varying from 2 to 3 weeks each as
required. Three Midwives were cautioned, but in no instance
was it found necessary to take legal action against any Midwife.
In London, during 1908, there were registered 137 deaths
(uncorrected) out of a total of 228 cases of Puerperal Fever
notified, giving a case-mortality of 60.1 per cent. (uncorrected).
The Council wrote in 1908 to the Local Government
Board and the Metropolitan Asylums Board, suggesting the
advisability of provision being made by means of new legislation
for the reception into Hospital of cases of Puerperal
Fever and Erysipelas for isolation and treatment, and to
avoid the necessity, as at present, of such cases being treated
in the Poor Law Infirmaries.