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27
PUERPERAL FEVER.
Eight cases of which three were fatal. It cannot be ignored
that lead poisoning is a frequent cause of abortion, and it ought
to be known that when used for that purpose, it is often fatal to
the mother. In one of the three fatal cases recorded from Puerperal
Fever, there were signs of lead poisoning. The child was
born dead.
TUBERCULOSIS.
The tables show the incidence of this disease according to
housing and employment. The chief points are the number of
fatal cases amongst adolescents. These cases occur in most
instances without any apparent reason beyond the conditions of
employment. In other words, a considerable number of persons
are by inheritance or injudicious up-bringing in such poor condition,
that they can only resist the attacks of this disease when
living under ideal hygienic conditions away from workshops,
offices, and the stress and strain of business.
NOTIFICATION OF BIRTHS ACT.
Came into Force Feb. 1st, 1909.
1909. 1910. 1911. 1912. 1913. 1914.
Total Births 850 863 873 861 898 808
Notified 792 788 762 743 748 649
Mothers Visited 48 80 87 88 56 89
Still Births notified 14 13 8 6 6 8
Attended by Midwives 254 343 376 346 418 354
Seven Midwives have registered to practice in the town.
Other Midwives Act temporarily, and are so registered.
Five cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum were notified but all
very mild and yielded to treatment rapidly.
Several births occurring in the Workhouse Infirmary were
not notified.
The cases are visited by the Medical Officer of Health.