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the cause of death in five cases; in two cases the babies were
premature, in one case the baby was marasmic and in the other
the child died due to inattention at birth.
There seems to be no doubt that illegitimate children stand
a far-lessened chance of survival, and the cause is probably generally
attributable to the social and mental environment of the ante-natal
and post-natal periods of the child's life.
As far as Enfield is concerned, the very high illegitimate
infantile mortality rate must be read with the fact that a large
number of illegitimate children enter Enfield after their birth
in order to reside in Chase Farm Homes. Therefore the comparison
between the number of births of illegitimate children in the district
and the number of illegitimate children who died in the district
is not comparable with the figures supplied for other districts,
or for the general rate throughout the country.
PUERPERAL PYREXIA.
During the year 10 cases of Puerperal Pyrexia were notified.
Cases of Puerperal Pyrexia arising in Enfield can be admitted
to the Enfield, Edmonton and Potters Bar Joint Isolation Hospital.
The Council, however, has arranged that in special circumstances
they should be admitted to Queen Charlotte's Hospital, Ravenscourt
Square, Hammersmith.
MATERNAL MORTALITY.
There were two maternal deaths during the year and the
cause was as follows:—
Obstetric Shock following Labour At home.
Pulmonary Embolus—Puerperal Pyrexia
and Child Birth In Isolation Hospital.
The average age of these two mothers was 35 years.
Cases of death arising in connection with pregnancy and
child birth are investigated by me, and a report thereon transmitted
to the Ministry of Health. These reports are private and confidential.