MATERNAL DANGERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17845, 28 July 1921, Page 8

MATERNAL DANGERS.

MORTALITY IN DOMINION.

INVESTIGATING CAUSES.

BOARD OF HEALTH ACTS

[BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON. Wednesday. The prominence given to the supposed excessive maternal mortality rate in the Dominion in comparison with <sther countries received lengthy consideration at a meeting of the Board of Health to-day. The Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister for Public Health, presided. In introducing the subject he referred to the somewhat startling report which had appeared" in a publication issued by the United States Labour Bureau, crediting New Zealand with having the second highest maternal mortality rate in the •world. He was satisfied that in New Zealand there was- an unduly heavy mortality due to sepsis. It would be for the board to investigate the causes of puerperal mortality and indicate prevention remedies.. Mr. Malcolm Fraser, Government Statistician, was present by request. He said the figures given in the United States report for the particular year were correct. Some valuable information and deductions made from the figures supplied by the department on the mortality question as affecting the Dominion, were given by Dr. H. J. Jellett, for nine years Master of the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, one of the largest maternity hospitals in Great Britain. He gave three factors for the mortality in New Zealand:—lncreased virulence of the organism, unsuitable surroundings, 'and the somewhat excessive operative interference oftentimes associated with child-birth. A reduction of operative interference was exceedingly es sential, but it was difficult to see how it could be accomplished, owing to the exigencies of practice. He suggested the establishment of an obstetric staff college, where training according to the latest ideas could be carried out. After discussing the matter fully the board agreed to set up a committee consisting of the Minister, Sir Donald McGaviri, and Dr. J. S. Elliott, to review all the material placed before the board, and to report to the next meeting. It was also suggested that the committee might, in view of the fact that the local branch of the Medical Association had given the matter attention, invite its opinion as to remedying the present state of affaire.