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reached its apex in the early part of that year. Whilst it is expected that
the general trend of the infantile mortality curve will continue downward,
periodic rises due to epidemics or exceptional conditions are bound to occur.
The biennial measles epidemic which is due again early in 1938 will doubtless
adversely affect the infant mortality figures.
Maternal mortality.—There were seven maternal deaths in 2,864 births,
giving a maternal mortality rate of 2.43 as compared with 1.56 for 1936.
Of the seven maternal deaths, two were due to puerperal sepsis and five were
due to other causes.
Two deaths due to puerperal sepsis.
(1) Septic infection following obstructed labour and caesarean
section.
(2) Septic infection following abortion.
Five deaths due to other causes.
(1) Acute heart failure.
(2) Obstetric shock. Post partum haemorrhage.
(3) Post partum hæmorrhage, ante partum haemorrhage, placenta
praevia.
(4) Acute heart failure, asthma and chronic bronchitis.
(5) Shock due to injection of fluid into the uterus with the object of
procuring abortion.
Every maternal death occurring in the Borough is investigated. Reports
are received from the doctors and midwives connected with the case and
these are examined to ascertain whether or not the case was one in which
the death of the mother could have been avoided.
The reports of the foregoing seven cases were considered and the deaths
classified as follows:—Two deaths were definitely unavoidable. In two cases
death was definitely avoidable. In one of these two cases death was the
result of admitted self-induced abortion; in the other it was the result of an
attempt to induce abortion by a person who was later sentenced to three
years' penal servitude for the manslaughter of this woman. One death was
probably avoidable. In this case, if the patient had co-operated and accepted
hospital treatment, her general health would have been so improved that
her prospects of passing safely through her confinement would have been
materially increased and death would probably have been prevented. Two
deaths were probably unavoidable. It is extremely difficult in some cases
from the available evidence to give a more definite classification of these
deaths.