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32
Puerperal Fever.
Eleven cases of Puerperal Fever (puerperal sepsis)
were notified during 1931, as against 17 during 1930.
The incidence in 1931 was equivalent to 4-8 per
thousand of the registered live births. There were
five deaths from puerperal sepsis during the year.
Mr.' Alexander Galletly, the Council's Obstetric
Specialist, was called in for consultation in four cases
of Puerperal Fever or Pyrexia during the year.
Puerperal Pyrexia.
Forty-seven cases of this disease were notified
during the year as compared with 33 during 1930.
In addition two cases which were notified as Puerperal
Pyrexia were subsequently notified as Puerperal Fever.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
During the year 17 cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum
were notified, compared with 19 eluring 1930,
giving an attack rate of 7-5 per thousand of the
registered live births. The notifications of this disease
were the lowest for the past five years, the figures
being :—
1926 29
1927 33
1928 38
1929 32
1930 19
1931 17
This improvement is very satisfactory as ophthalmia
neonatorum is the commonest cause of blindness
commencing in infancy. I have no doubt that the
decrease is due to the great care which is now taken
by midwives and doctors attending cases of childbirth.
Through an arrangement between the Borough
Council and the District Nursing Association, the