INCREASE OF SEPTIC CASES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2545, 5 July 1909, Page 5

INCREASE OF SEPTIC CASES.

MAY NOT BE SO GREAT. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 3. In. reference to the Press Association message mentioning the evidence or medical witnesses in a case in Napier that there had been an abnormal number of septic cases during the twelve, months throughout New Zealand, and in many of the cases it was impossible to tell how they had been caused, onquiries in medical Quarters failed lo draw, any facts to prove that there has been any increase in the percentages of puerperal cases. The ' 'abnormal number” during the last twelve months mav have a very simple explanation. Towards the end of 1907 it was decided to make puerperal fever in its various manifestations, and under its various names a “notifiable disease.” The object was to enable the district health officers to keep an eye on midwives who had been- attending a case that had developed a puerperal malady, and te prevent the sere ad of infection. Hence cases that- were formerly not announced to the authorities are now promptly reported. Consequently the statistics show on paper an increase in the number of cases, but actually the percentage may not be greater for the last twelve months than for the preceding; year.