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accepted, while those whose home conditions are totally unsuited for a
confinement are usually accepted at hospital even though they might
have to wait until they are in labour before this can be arranged. The
co-operation of the patients with those providing these services is
probably an important factor in the local maternal mortality rate being
so consistently on the low side.
PUERPERAL INFECTION.
Of the 17 notifications received 5 were in respect of patients
delivered in local maternity homes, one was of a patient delivered in a
London hospital and the remainder of those delivered at home. Three
cases followed an abortion. In only three instances was the raised
temperature the result of an infection of the birth canal, the cause in
others being such conditions as mastitis, phlebitis and pyelitis.
Fourteen of the patients were removed to an isolation hospital for
treatment, while for the other three home nursing was arranged.