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
Shoreditch 1929
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
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25
Puerperal Fever.
Five cases were certified, all of which were removed to Hospital. There were
two deaths.
A comparison between London and Shore ditch during the last 10 years is contained
in the following table:—
Continued from previous page...
| London. | Shoreditch. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cases | Deaths | Cases | Deaths | |||||
| Year. | Cases. | per | Deaths. | per | Cases. | per | Deaths. | per |
| 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | |||||
| births. | births. | births. | births. | |||||
| 1920 | 451 | 3.7 | 215 | 1.7 | 11 | 2.9 | 5 | 1.3 |
| 1921 | 353 | 3.5 | 142 | 1.4 | 12 | 4.0 | 4 | 2.0 |
| 1922 | 311 | 3.3 | 129 | 1.3 | 9 | 3.1 | 3 | 1.0 |
| 1923 | 352 | 3.9 | 126 | 1.3 | 7 | 2.5 | ... | ... |
| 1924 | 298 | 3.5 | 106 | 1.2 | 10 | 3.9 | 1 | 0.4 |
| 1925 | 324 | 3.9 | 117 | 1.4 | 13 | 4.9 | 2 | 0.8 |
| 1926 | 341 | 4.3 | 127 | 1.6 | 10 | 3.9 | 3 | 1.2 |
| 1927 | 265 | 3.5 | 96 | 1.3 | 11 | 5.0 | 2 | 0.91 |
| 1928 | 295 | 3.5 | 115 | 1.5 | 7 | 3.4 | 3 | 1.4 |
| 1929 | 315 | 4.5 | 131 | 1.9 | 5 | 1.9 | 2 | 1.0 |
Puerperal fever is a disease caused by the infection of the generative tract after
labour. It may be stated as a general rule that the actual source of the infecting
agent lies in the patient herself or in the hands, instruments and appliances of the
Doctor or Midwife.
On receipt of a notification steps are taken to secure the best treatment for the
patient, to ascertain the source of infection and to carry out such disinfection as
may be necessary. The majority of cases are removed to Hospital and the earlier
this is done the better. Search for the source of infection is undertaken primarily
with a view to preventing the risk of further infections. All cases occurring in the
practice of mid wives are further investigated by the London County Council, who
are the authority responsible for the supervision of mid wives practising in the
Metropolis. Mid wives in whose practice a case of puerperal fever has occurred are
required to carry out a complete disinfection of their persons, clothes and instruments
before taking fresh cases. It sometimes happens that improper examinations
and manipulations are made by unqualified women who are engaged ostensibly to
give general assistance to the patient. These women, known as "handy women,"
who are most useful so long as they confine themselves to their proper sphere,
become a grave danger if they attempt to usurp the functions of the midwife.
Enquiries are made with the object of discovering and preventing this abuse.
Under the Maternity and Child Welfare Section of this report particulars will be
given of the Council's scheme for ante-natal care and supervision. Of this scheme,