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12
INQUESTS ON MOTHERS DYING IN CHILD BIRTH.
A new departure in investigations referring to maternal mortality was suggested by
a Metropolitan Borough Council in the direction of the compulsory holding of an inquest
in the case of the death of a mother in, or shortly after, child birth, and where necessary,
for a post-mortem examination in such cases by an independent medical expert.
Whilst one can but agree with the advantages which such a course would provide, the
proposal raises questions of such importance that I am of opinion, and this opinion is shared
by the majority of authorities, that consideration should be adjourned until the final report
of the departmental committee on mortality and morbidity is issued, and that any requirement
on the lines suggested should apply to the country as a whole.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
Ninety-two cases of notifiable infectious diseases were reported during the year 1931.
Notification of Chicken-pox.—In consequence of the presence of the mild type of smallpox
which has been more or less prevalent in London for the past few years, Chicken-pox was
made a notifiable disease in the City for six months, from the 17th day of March, 1930,
at the expiration of which time it was renewed for a further six months, which expired on
the 17th March, 1931. In view of the fact that conditions in relation to smallpox still
justify it, the Court of Common Council by order extended the obligation to notify for a
further period of twelve months, expiring on the 17th day of March, 1932. Appropriate
notice to interested parties was effected, and a copy of such notice is reproduced in Appendix E
of this Report.
Fourteen of the cases reported were Diphtheria, compared with 19 in 1930. The
number of Scarlet Fever cases was 17, compared with 20 in 1930. There were 6 cases of
Erysipelas. Measles and German Measles are not notifiable diseases, and only cases of the
former illness were brought to my notice by medical practitioners and through the medium
of the school medical service. Thirty-seven cases of Chicken-pox were notified, 14 of Acute
Primary Pneumonia, 1 case of Acute Influenzal Pneumonia and 1 of Smallpox. No case of
Ophthalmia Neonatorum was reported.
The percentage of cases removed to hospital for treatment continues to be satisfactory.
In each instance of notified disease a detailed examination is made of the sanitary condition
of the premises where the case occurred and a summary of defects found by the District
Inspector is given on page 62.
In the following tables will be found particulars relating to cases of infectious disease,
and information as to the removal of patients to hospitals and sanatoria.