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
Willesden 1933
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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Taking the 4 deaths occurring amongst the 13 cases of puerperal fever notified in Willesden,
this gives a case mortality of 30.8 per cent. as against 25 per cent. in 1932, 14.3 per cent. in 1931,
20 per cent. in 1930, 50 per cent. in 1929, 33.4 per cent. in 1928, and 60 per cent. in 1927.
The maternal mortality from sepsis for 1933 was 2.6 per thousand registered live births and
2.5 per thousand registered total births. The corresponding figures for 1932 were:—2.2 per thousand
registered live births and 2.1 per thousand registered total births.
The maternal mortality from all causes was 5.2 per thousand registered live births and 5.1 per
thousand registered total births. The corresponding figures for 1932 were:—4.0 and 3.9 respectively.
In 4 of the 13 notified cases a private doctor was in attendance at the confinement at home.
One of these confinements was instrumental and in 1 the child was born before the doctor's arrival,
the midwife being present. One stitch was inserted after the doctor's arrival. These 4 patients
recovered. In 4 cases a midwife attended the confinement at home. Two of these patients died and
two recovered. Two cases were confined in Hospital. These both recovered. The other 3 were
cases of miscarriage at home. One recovered and 2 died.
Table No. 6. —Puerperal Fever Cases, 1933. Home Circumstances.
| Number of Cases. | Number of Rooms. | Number of occupants, including new-born baby. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 years. | Over 10 years. | Total. | ||
| 1 (fatal) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 1 (fatal) | 3 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 1 (miscarriage) | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 (miscarriage) (fatal) | 4 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| 1 (miscarriage) (fatal) | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 1 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 1 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 2 | Occurred in Hospital. | |||
Puerperal Pyrexia.—36 cases were notified during the year. 3 of these 36 cases proved
fatal, 2 of the deaths being attributed to Puerperal Sepsis and 1 after post mortem to uraemia due to
subacute nephritis.
During 1933 the Council have continued their efforts to deal effectively with the subject of
maternal mortality.
(1) Sterilised Accouchment Sets.—These sets are supplied in accordance with the arrangements
stated in last year's report.
During 1933, 119 were supplied free, 16 at full cost and 7 at part cost.
(2) Specialist Help.—The Council accept responsibility for the payment of the fee of one
of their specialists called in by a medical practitioner to assist him in connection with
a difficult case of labour occurring in a Willesden resident. 8 such consultations were
paid for in 1933.
(3) Provision of Anesthetist.—The Council further accept responsibility for the payment of a
fee to an anaesthetist, called in by a medical practitioner in connection with confinement
cases. 1 such fee was paid in 1933.
Maternal Mortality.—The Council has continued to take part in the investigation of deaths
of mothers in childbirth for the Maternal Mortality Committee of the Ministry of Health. The
investigations are carried out by the Council's Consultant Obstetrician. 20 cases were inquired
into during 1933.
The services of the Council's Consultant Obstetrician are also available in cases of Puerperal
Fever and Puerperal Pyrexia when desired by the practitioner in attendance.