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 1934
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
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36
Puerperal Fever and Puerperal Pyrexia.
Six cases of puerperal fever were notified during the year, giving a case rate of
0.69 per 1,000 population. There were no deaths. Of the six cases two occurred in
institutions, one in the practice of a private doctor and three in the practice of
midwives. Four were removed to hospital, the other two cases being treated at home.
In the Borough provision is made for consultations under the Public Health
(Notification of Puerperal Fever and Puerperal Pyrexia) Regulations, 1926, and
during the year 1934 one such consultation was held.
During the year 23 cases of puerperal pyrexia were notified. 21 out of the 23 cases were removed to hospital, and the final diagnosis was altered to puerperal fever in two cases. The final diagnosis in the remaining 21 cases was as follows:—
| Pyelitis due to bacillus rommunis | 1 |
| Pyelitis | 3 |
| Parturition ; idiopathic uterine inertia | 1 |
| Capillary bronchitis | 1 |
| Infection of uterus | 1 |
| Pneumonia and pelvis sepsis (Caeserian Hysterectomy) | 1 |
| Infected perineal tear | 1 |
| Septic abortion | 1 |
| Uterine sepsis | 1 |
| Local uterine infection | 3 |
| Urinary infection | 1 |
| Concealed accidental haemorrhage | 1 |
| Vaginal laceration. Placenta praevia | 1 |
| Quinsy | 1 |
| Acute mastitis | 1 |
| Sapraemia (uterine) | 1 |
| Broncho pneumonia | 1 |
It will be apparent that a considerable proportion of the cases of puerperal
pyrexia although not finally diagnosed as puerperal fever, were due to septic conditions
of the generative tract.
It is gratifying that the incidence of puerperal fever is low in the Borough.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
This disease, the duty of notifying which was under the Public Health (Ophthalmia
Neonatorum) Regulations, 1926, placed solely upon the medical practitioner in
charge of the case, consists of a purulent discharge from the eye of an infant occurring
within 21 days of birth.