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child and, in addition, a report is made by the Health Visitor of the
district concerned ; in nearly all cases the discharge is of a mild
catarrhal nature which readily responds to treatment.
Undoubtedly operation of the regulations governing ophthalmia
has, since their inception, saved the vision of countless children.
Pemphigus.
During the year, 6 notifications of pemphigus were received.
They do not appear to have been other than of a mild character
and all recovered without giving rise to anxiety.
Maternal Mortality.
7 deaths were registered as being due to pregnancy or associated
with that condition, which is equivalent to a maternal mortality
rate of 3.5, compared with 4.60 for England and Wales. In each
case an investigation was made to ascertain the age, parity, cause
of death, standard of living, including nutrition and any other
possible contributory cause.
It was found that 4 cases were attributable to sepsis and 3 to
other causes, the Registrar-General, however, allocates them so that
5 are assigned to sepsis and 2 to other causes. It is not clear how
this difference has arisen, as copies of extracts from the death
certificates are in our possession. These causes are set out as
follows:—
1. (1) (a) Cerebral haemorrhage.
(b) Puerperium.
(c) Acute mania.
(2) Pregnancy—confinement.
2. (a) Acute paralytic ileus.
(b) Obstructed labour.
(c) Caesarian section.
3. (a) Toxaemia.
(b) Peritonitis following torn vagina.
(c) Broncho pneumonia.
4. (a) Post partum haemorrhage.
(b) Myocarditis.
5. Puerperal septicaemia.
6. Puerperal septicaemia.
7. (a) Septicaemia.
(b) Endometritis.
(c) Incomplete abortion.