OFFICIAL FIGURES QUESTIONED

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 141, 16 June 1924, Page 8

OFFICIAL FIGURES QUESTIONED

MISLEADING CLASSIFICATION ASSERTED.

In starting the "Save the Mothers" campaign, the Minister of Health, Sir Maui Pomare, said: 'Tor some time it has been known to our shame that, despite many advantages, climatic, social, and economic, this country labours under the stigma of a comparatively high maternal mortality rate. In proportion to its population, more women die as the result of childbirth in this coun-' try than in-many other countries that have not the advantages we possess." The Minister-also added: "During the past five years, the deaths ol 755 mothers occurred in the Dominion as tho jdirect result of'-childbirth."

In reference to the above statement, the following letter and table have been handed to "The .Post" . from the Government Statistician, showing how the total of 755 deaths has been compiled :— "In accordance with the request contained in your' letter of 7th instant, I enclose a statement showin-, for each of. the five years, 1919-1923, "the number of deaths of women from puerperal causes, grouped under the eight headings provided in the International Classification The total for the five years is 755. beptjc abortions are counted as puerperal septicaemia- under the International Classification. I regret that lam unable to state the number of septic abortions included _in the septicaemia totals, this information not having been recorded when the statistics were beino- compiled —Yours faithfully, Malcolm Fraser Government Statistician " '

NEW ZEALAND.

It is asserted that the figures in the above table show that 322 women died from what the medical profession understand as sepsis; also, that deaths from criminal abortion are included. The deaths from these latter causes, i.e., criminal abortion, should not, it is asserted, have been included in the statement of the Minister that "during the past five years the deaths of 755 mothers occurred in the Dominion as the direct result of childbirth."

Inquiries made from the responsible authorities show that the figures given above are based on what is known as the- Bertiliion system of classification, winch is adopted practically in all countries. Deaths from criminal abortion winch • have been definitely certified as such are- not included within ''maternal mortality," but are included under the term "homicide "

Deaths from Puerperal Accidents ar.d Diseases, 1919-1923. 1. A^ftte of 1919 192° 1D21 W" m3 T1" *.$ra Iie ;^ 9 2G • 13 " n a/fe accidenis M * 1S 22 20 11C «.PuKl sepiu " 12 10 13 4 50 ■s.TuSfp'.r.rphYein- * °? 4S 62 ?" asla, alha dolcns, embolism, sudden cSpcrnV-iiiiu. " 9 1S 12. 8 51 niinuria and cou- „ ™^ ons. ■■••■;• 30 37 41 35 34 183 (. Following childbirth * 1 S 1 9 o n S.-Puerperal dis- " eases of breast; .. 1 — ' 1 Totals 121 194 145 149 143 755 * Mainly puerperal mania.