Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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174
Concealed accidental haemorrhage 1 case
Placenta praevia 6 cases
Premature placental separation in breech delivery 1 case
Delayed second stage of labour 2 cases
Failed forceps prior to admission, terminating in
craniotomy 3 cases
Failed forceps outside terminating in forceps
delivery 1 case
Contracted pelvis and high forceps delivery 1 case
Contracted pelvis, posterior parietal presentation,
terminating in version 1 case
Eighteen infants died within ten days of birth. This represents
approximately 5% of all live births. Fourteen of those died
from prematurity and congenital debility. The average birth
weight of those cases was three pounds and in no instance did the
birth weight exceed four pounds, fourteen ounces.
There were four maternal deaths in the Lying-in Ward. The
causes were:—
1.—Dystocia, failed forceps outside, post partum haemorrhage.
Patient was admitted in a critical condition after repeated
attempts at forceps delivery outside. After the necessary
craniotomy she remained dangerously ill. Sharp secondary
post partum haemorrhage occurred early on the
following morning. Death was within twenty-four hours
of admission.
2.— Ptierperal Eclampsia.—Admited in deep unconsciousness.
There were, in all, 27 fits. Death was on the same day.
3.—Puerperal Eclampsia.—Unconscious on admission.
Patient had five fits in hospital. Death was within 12
hours of admission.
4.—Puerperal Eclampsia.—Unconscious on admission. Had
seven fits in hospital. Death was within eighteen hours
of admission.
The three eclamptic cases were remarkably alike. None had
attended a Ante Natal Centre. In each the onset was sudden and
was unattended by premonitary symptoms. None had oedema,
and all developed practically complete anuria. Post mortem
examinations showed practically complete destruction of the kidney
cortex. In one it was found that one kidney had remained rudimentary.