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Inquests. There were 155- inquests held on Woolwich
residents during the year, compared with 165 in 1928.
Maternal Mortality. The number of deaths from puerperal
sepsis was 3 ; from eclampsia, 3 ; and from abortion, 2.
The incidence of sepsis shows an appreciable diminution, but
that of eclampsia is disappointing, as in the majority of such
cases there are recognisable premonitory symptoms and signs
for which active preventive measures are indicated. Throughout
the year systematic enquiries have been carried out in
all cases of maternal mortality and confidential reports submitted
to the Ministry of Health. These investigations have
emphasized the importance of medical supervision at regularintervals
during the ante-natal period from as early a date
as possible, and also the necessity for widespread education
of the general public regarding the advisability of such
examinations. Another important factor in preventive work
is the co-operation of the midwives, by encouraging their
patients to have regular medical attention; many abnormalities
which may have reached severe degrees before serious
signs of ill-health develop may be detected at an early stage
by medical examination. The maternal death rate per
1,000 births was 6 06 ; in 1928 it was 5 73.
The following Table shows the causes of death each
year since 1912.