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26
MATERNAL MORTALITY.
Apart from the steps taken to reduce maternal mortality by the
provision of maternity help, either at home or at the Maternity
Hospital, and the supervision of the expectant mothers at the Health
Centres, efforts are being made in two different directions to assist
in the elucidation and prevention of death at childbirth. Investigations
are carried out regarding all cases of puerperal fever and
puerperal pyrexia and regarding all maternal deaths. These are
chiefly carried out by the Assistant Medical Officer for Maternity
and Child Welfare with the assistance of the Medical Attendant.
In a few cases, particularly of puerperal pyrexia, the Medical
Attendant furnishes a report on a special form regarding the case
and no further action is required. It is pleasing to record that
although every case has been investigated, in no instance has a
Medical Attendant refused to give all assistance or to fill in the
form.
The investigations may not elucidate much with regard to the
cause but there can be no doubt that they encourage the medical
practitioners to take an interest in these cases and to try to discover
anything done, or left undone, which might have been a casual
factor. This in itself is sure to lead to greater care in the preparation
for and the conduct of a case of labour and in the thoughtful
anticipation of difficulties or dangers on the part of the medical
practitioner.
Another direction in which action is being taken is in the
treatment and pathological investigation of cases of puerperal
sepsis. The Governors of Queen Charlotte's Hospital have recently
opened at Hammersmith a new block of wards with an adjoining
laboratory. The intention is to receive cases of puerperal sepsis
and to investigate them with the most recent scientific methods
to discover the actual casual organism and to treat them in the
ways which are deemed best. The provisions made for this purpose
at this Hospital could not be better and the Staff are such as to
inspire one with confidence as to the ultimate results of their
efforts to discover not only improved methods of treatment but
of prevention. The Town Council have undertaken to participate
in this work by sending cases of puerperal sepsis occurring in
Ealing to this Hospital for treatment.