SEPTIC CASES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12257, 3 July 1909, Page 5

SEPTIC CASES.

A POSSIBLE EXPLANATION

,(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, July 2. In reference to the Press Association ! message mentioning the evidence of a j medical witness in a case at Napier i that " there had been an abnormal number of septic cases during the last 12 months throughout New Zealand, and in i many of the cases it was impossible to i tell how they had been caused," enI quiries in medical quarters failed to ' draw any facts to prove that there had been any increaso in the percentage of puerperal cases. The "abnormal number"' during the last twelve months rnny 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 dfeveloped a puerperal malady, and I > -~rvent the spread of infection.; J r ■•■■>.-'* capes that were formerly not 'ai\v.' ■ I to the authorities are now prompt' •«- ported, and consequently the ?tatr \;<r-:; show on paper an increase in the v. ;■- ---ber of cases, but actually the percc ' r- - may not c gbreater for the last i ■ *. cmonths than for the preceding ytv.-.