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:

Antenatal CareHistory of CaseCertified Cause of Death
Case No. 6. M.O. at Clinic. Delivered by Midwife.Age 42. 8 para: delivered at home: previous confinements normal: pregnancy and labour normal: full term: living infant: puerperium, temperature and rigor 3rd clay: removed to hospital 5th day: died on 7th day.Puerperal Septicaemia.
Case No. 7. Treated by Private Doctor in Pregnancy, but not examined. Home Visit by Maternity Nurse. Delivered by Doctor.Age 32. 3 para: emergency hospital case: history of previous difficult labours: pregnancy normal: labour, unsuccessful attempt to deliver by forceps at home after long labour: transferred to hospital: caesarian section (stillborn infant) and hysterectomy performed: died 3 days later.Acute General Peritonitis. Ruptured Uterus (operation).
Case No. 8. M.O. at Clinic. Delivered by Doctor (emergency).Age 22. 1 para: delivered at home: pregnancy, normal: labour, instrumental, long labour, impacted foetal head: full term, living infant: patient had acute bronchitis at onset of labour: puerperium-broncho-pneumonia developed on 3rd day: died on 7th day at home.Puerperal Septicaemia. Broncho-Pneumonia.
Case No. 9. M.O. at Clinic. Attended by Midwife. Doctor summoned.Age 33. 8 para: delivered at home: pregnancy, 4½ months pregnant : developed influenza, treated by own doctor: on 3rd day aborted and died suddenly from syncope after severe postpartum haemorrhage.Influenza. Miscarriage. Haemorrhage.
Case No. 10. No Antenatal supervision.Age 17. 1 para: illegitimate: hospital emergency case: preg-nancy concealed: died within 24 hours of admission to hospital for severe haemorrhage due to abortion at 4 months.Shock. Haemorrhage. Abortion.
Case No. 11. Antenatal supervision refused. Delivered by Doctor.Age 30. 6 para: emergency hospital case. Previous pregnancies normal. Labour—severe ante-partum haemorrhage with onset of labour at full term: sent at once to hospital, normal delivery of S.R. infant— patient collapsed and died 3 hours after admission.Ante-partum Haemorrhage. Parturition.