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Infections accounted for most of the 12 deaths of those between
3 and 6 months, of which respiratory complaints were the cause in 4,
gastro-enteritis in 2, whooping cough in 2, and meningococcal
meningitis in 3. Respiratory infections accounted for 6 of the 10
deaths of those between 6 and 9 months and 3 of the 4 deaths
amongst those aged 9 to 12 months.
DEATHS OF OLDER CHILDREN.
Of the 8 fatalities amongst those aged one year most were due
to communicable complaints, influenza, tuberculous meningitis and
whooping cough accounting for one each and lung affections 3.
Four of the 6 children who died in the second year died from
pneumonia and one each from diphtheria and tuberculous meningitis.
Diphtheria accounted for 2 of the 4 deaths of those aged 3, and
tuberculous meningitis 2 of the 4 deaths of those aged 4.
INFANT MORBIDITY.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
Four cases of ophthalmia neonatorum were notified, 2 of them
in respect of infants born in hospitals in London. All cases made
complete recovery.
MATERNAL MORTALITY.
Eight deaths were registered as due to or associated with
pregnancy, giving a maternal mortality rate of 2.40 per thousand
live births. Of these 2 were due to sepsis, this being a mortality
rate from this cause of 0.60 and those to other accidents and diseases
of pregnancy a rate of 1.80. The corresponding rates for England
and Wales were 0.77, 2.16 and 2.93 and for this district in 1938
0.91, 2.73 and 3.64. The rates per thousand total births were 0.58,
1.75 and 2.33, compared with figures of 0.74, 2.08 and 2.82 for the
country as a whole.
One of the deaths from sepsis occurred in a patient who had
received systematic ante-natal supervision followed by a normal
confinement in hospital, but who, from vaginal laceration, developed
a genital tract infection. The other was a married woman of 27
who died from a septic abortion in respect of whom an open verdict
was returned.
The particulars of the deaths from other causes are:—(1) A
patient of 33, on the 13th day from a normal confinement, died
of pulmonary embolism. (2) A patient of 31, who was under the
supervision of her own doctor, suddenly developed eclamptic fits.
She was immediately removed to hospital but in spite of all treatment
died within 24 hours of admission. (3) A patient whose
ante-natal findings were normal suddenly developed eclamptic fits.
Although immediately admitted to hospital she died the same day