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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Table: Summary of the Cases. (1) Deaths from Sepsis.

Summary of the Cases. (1) Deaths from Sepsis.

Antenatal CareHistory of CaseCertified Cause of Death
Case No. 1. M.O. at Clinic. Delivered by Doctor.Age 25. 1 para: delivered in hospital: pregnancy normal: labour, full term: instrumental, not difficult: infant living: died 26th day of puerperium.Puerperal Septicaemia.
Case No. 2. M.O. at Clinic. Delivered by Midwife.Age 24. 1 para: delivered in hospital: pregnancy—anaemia —otherwise normal: labour, normal, full term: infant living: puerperium—temperature 4th day—died 12th day.Puerperal Septicaemia.
Case No. 3. M.O. at Clinic. Delivered by Midwife.Age 29. 1 para: delivered in hospital: pregnancy—patient of poor physique: labour, normal, full term: living infant: puerperium—temperature on 15th day (patient readmitted to hospital) died suddenly on 22nd day.Parametritis. Pulmonary Infarction. Embolism.
Case No. 4. No Antenatal Care.Age 36. 3 para: emergency hospital case: illegitimate: pregnancy concealed: haemorrhage at 10 weeks, medical aid summoned 2 days later owing to severe loss of blood: sent at once to hospital: died 2 days after admission.Septicaemia following Abortion.
Case No. 5. No Antenatal Care. Delivered by Doctor.Age 28. 1 para: emergency hospital case: pregnancy apparently normal: labour, full term : forceps applied at home, but delivery not effected : sent to hospital as obstructed labour and had temperature on admission: delivered of still-born infant 24 hours later: forceps delivery: puerperium, 2nd day, slight temperature and jaundice: died 4th day.Delayed Chloroform Poisoning. Puerperal Septicaemia.