London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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London County Council 1912

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]

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85
Report of the County Medical Officer—General.

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Presentations—
Unable to make out13
Difficult breech37
Elbow3
Shoulder11
Face30
Funis31
Transverse47
Difficult twins22
Persistent occipito posterior27
Hand12
Abnormal (details not given)9
Placenta prævia24
Prolonged labour (uterine inertia, contracted pelvis, etc.)624
Laceration of perineum345
Prolapse of uterus8
Hæmorrhage during labour16
Retained or adherent placenta220
Exhaustion or collapse37
Hysteria or fits3
Rapid pulse1
Other conditions89
1,606

Lying-in—

Rise of temperature272
Post partum hæmorrhage124
Pain or swelling in leg23
Abdominal pain or swelling19
Pain or swelling of breast22
Quick pulse5
Eclampsia, convulsions17
Condition of vagina10
Puerperal mania4
Offensive lochia6
Sub-involution of uterus1
Excessive sickness or headache10
Skin eruptions5
Other illness11
529

Child—

Injury at birth10
Malformation or deformity110
Skin eruption or rash38
Jaundice15
Convulsions36
Partial asphyxia13
Bronchitis, etc.3
Cyanosis12
Inflammation of eyes383
Feebleness and prematurity460
Hæmorrhage7
Stillborn58
Death of infant41
Diarrhœa4
Inflammation of navel4
Abnormal sickness3
Other conditions in child76
1,263
Infectious diseases in patient's house2
3,603

Assuming that 30,000 births are attended annually by midwives, the above figures show that
medical assistance was required in 12 per cent. of the cases; in 7.8 per cent. on behalf of the mother
and in 4.2 per cent. on account of the child.