London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London

West Ham 1928

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]

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Table: History of the Cases. (1) In which death was attributed to Puerperal Fever.

History of the Cases. (1) In which death was attributed to Puerperal Fever.

Antenatal CareHistory of CaseCertified Cause of Death
Case No. 1. Yes, Antenatal Clinic; examined by M.O. Age 29.5 para : Previous pregnancies normal. Prev. confinements : 1, Forceps; 2, A.P.H.; 3, Normal; 4, Retained Chorion. Present pregnancy—slight A.P. 8 months. Confinement normal, premature, 8J months. Temperature immediately after confinement, which continued steadily to rise. Died 6th day at own home.Peritonitis.
Case No. 2. 1 home visit by midwife only. Age 20.Hospital delivery. 1 para : no history of previous illness. Symptoms of kidney trouble said to have begun 1 month before labour, but no history of treatment. Confinement normal, full term. Temperature rose on 2nd day. Died 6th day in hospital where confined.Septicaemia and Pericarditis. Double Pyelonephritis and Cystitis. Pyelitis of Pregnancy.
Case No. 3. Examined on several occasions by M.O. at Antenatal Clinic Age 18.Delivered by midwife. 1 para : pregnancy normal, labour normal. Temperature rose on 10th day. Removed to Hospital. Died 29th day.Peritonitis. Childbirth. Pyosalpinx.
Case No. 4. Examined by private doctor Age 30.Delivered by Doctor. 1 para : pregnancy normal, but pelvic measurements small, labour, instrumental : big baby. Temperature rose on 3rd day, transferred to hospital. Died 19th day.Puerperal Septicaemia.
Case No. 5. No Antenatal supervision. Age 27.Delivered by Doctor. 3 para : 1 previous miscarriage 3 years before. Present pregnancy about 16 weeks. Said to have had slight haemorrhage earlier: treated by doctor for severe loss. Temperature immediately after miscarriage. Transferred to hospital. Died 35th day.Puerperal Septicaemia and Abortion.