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32
INFANT MORBIDITY.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
Five cases of ophthalmia neonatorum were notified, three occurring
amongst infants born in nursing homes. Two of these children were
removed to hospital for treatment. All made complete recovery.
Pemphigus.
Two cases of pemphigus were notified, one being sufficiently severe
to require admission to hospital for treatment.
MATERNAL MORTALITY.
Five deaths occurred from or were associated with pregnancy, giving
a maternal mortality rate per thousand live births of 1.50 comprised of
a rate of 0.60 for puerperal sepsis and 0.90 for other puerperal causes.
The first patient was admitted to hospital in labour with severe
pregnancy toxaemia and distocia due to irregular uterine action with an
associated contraction ring. Intra-uterine death of the foetus occurred
and caesarean section was necessary because of the deteriorating condition
of the patient, but death took place soon afterwards. The second patient
who had received full ante-natal supervision, was surgically induced
about term because of a slight contraction of the pelvis; later, forceps
delivery of a macerated foetus was followed by uterine sepsis which led
to a generalised infection which proved fatal a month later. The third
patient who had been admitted to hospital for trial of labour proved to
need caesarean section; recovery was uneventful for 48 hours when she
developed paralytic ileus. The fourth fatality occurred in a patient
whose premature labour at the 30th week was probably caused by a ruptured
pyosalpinx. The remaining death was due to an embolism in a
patient while being subjected to surgical induction of labour.
PUERPERAL INFECTION.
24 notifications of puerperal pyrexia were received, two relating to
women who had been confined in London hospitals. The remaining
cases were divided equally between those who were confined in their own
homes and those delivered in local maternity homes. One quarter were
probably cases of uterine infection, operative interference for adherent
placenta having been necessary in one half; while one case was of an
abortion. In a further quarter the raised temperature was probably
due to infection of the perineal tear and two to phlegmasia alba dolens.
In three the cause of the pyrexia was considered to be pyelitis, while in a
further three the raised temperature was thought to be other non-uterine
causes.
17 patients were admitted to hospital for treatment, the remainder
of the local cases being nursed at home. 12 cases were passed to the
District Nursing Association for treatment.