London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Croydon 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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The 39 cases treated may be classified as follows:—
| Cases. | Deaths. | Mortality Rate. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (1) Patients with infection of the genital tract | 34 | 0 | 0% |
| (a) Infection limited to uterus, vagina and perineum | 29 | 0 | 0% |
| (b) Infection involving pelvic cellular tissues, ovaries, Fallopian tubes, pelvic peritoneum or veins | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| (c) Infection of the birth canal spread beyond the pelvis (general peritonitis, septicaemia, etc.) | 3 | 0 | 0% |
| (2) Patients with infective conditions not originating in the genital tract | 5 | 0 | 0% |
Factors Bearing on Aetiology.
No. of cases
with infection
(genital).
No. of cases
with infection
(non-genital).
Uncomplicated labour 9 2
Long labour 1 0
Surgical induction of labour 4 1
Instrumental delivery 4 2
Spontaneous abortion 0 0
Evacuation of abortion 4 0
Manual removal of placenta 2 0
Excessive bleeding 3 0
Severe lacerations 0 0
Other interference 3 0
Caesarean Section 4 0
OBSTETRIC CONSULTATIONS.
As Consulting Obstetrician to the Borough, the Assistant
Medical Officer of Health for Obstetrics was called in by medical
practitioners to see 47 obstetrical and 36 gynaecological patients
who could not afford to pay a private consultant.
In addition, he was asked by the Medical Superintendent of
Mayday Hospital to give an opinion on the obstetric and gynaecological
aspects of 35 cases in the medical and surgical wards of the
hospital.
The preceding pages deal with the maternity service in the
clinical control of the Assistant M.O.H. for Obstetrics. In the
following paragraphs some aspects of the general maternity work
of the borough are reviewed.