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 1929
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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Three of the pregnancies were illegitimate; and the state of
pregnancy was concealed, hence no antenatal care. Death resulted
in the first hall of pregnancy in two of these cases from (1) Septicaemia
and (2) Haemorrhage and shock, respectively; death in
the third illegitimate case occurred at full-term from Eclampsia
and difficult labour.
Table shewing Causes of Death in those Eight Cases who received Antenatal Supervision.
| No. | Antenatal Care and Examination by | Cause of Death. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Private Doctor | Ante-partum Haemorrhage (Placenta praevia) |
| 2 | Hospital Clinic (Medical Officer and Mid wives). | Puerperal Sepsis |
| 3 | Hospital Clinic (Medical Officer and Midwives). | Puerperal Sepsis |
| 4 | Hospital Clinic (Medical Officer and Midwives). | Para metritis Pulmonary Infarction Embolism |
| 5 | Antenatal Clinic (Medical Officer). | Puerperal Sepsis |
| 6 | Antenatal Clinic (Medical Officer). | Puerperal Sepsis Broncho Pneumonia |
| 7 | Antenatal Clinic (Medical Officer). | Influenza, Miscarriage, Haemorrhage. |
| 8 | Antenatal Clinic (Medical Officer). | Toxaemia of Pregnancy, Nephritis |
Causes of Death in the Seven Cases who received
no Antenatal Supervision.
1 Ante-partum Eclampsia.
2 Ante-partum Eclampsia (illegitimate) Persistent Occipito
posterior delivery.
3 Ante-partum Haemorrhage.
4 Shock, Haemorrhage, Abortion (illegitimate).
5 Acute General Peritonitis. Ruptured Uterus.
6 Puerperal Septicaemia. Delayed Chloroform Poisoning.
7 Septicaemia following Abortion (illegitimate).
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