MATERNITY MORTALITY

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1924, Page 4

MATERNITY MORTALITY

DOCTORS INTERVIEWKD. CHRISTCHURCH, May 27. 4 “Press” represent ati vi* who interviewed a number of Christchurch medical nit'll yesterday found that the findings nf tbe Kelvin Commission had been road carefully. Although there was not complete agreeing with the result of the Commission or with the .Minister’s remarks regarding late or uon-notilieation of puerperal septicaemia. it was evident that it was recognised the Commission had done good work. The natural professional caution prevented the receipt of any clenrcnl statement or opinion from any particilar medical man, hut the pressman was aide to gain a very decided inkling of i.he views held hv the profession. t I.E.VVJ.INESS. The lir.-t and last point emphasised all the time was the matter ol extreme cleanliness. One doctor quoted oii-haiid as follows:- “It is not an exaggeration to say that the most essential knowledge in midwifery is the knowledge of asepsis. A practitioner who knows nothing about science and art of midwifery except that it is necessary that his hands and instruments are sterile, will save more lives than the most accomplished obstetrician, who does not practice asepsis.” That in effect was tbe keynote of every interview. To this end it was nrgci 1 that only tbe trained nurse sbould he allowed to have any dealings with nmfcrii.’ty cases. This should

apply to the cleaning of utensils, work often left to a probationer, who failed to clean and sterilise every article alter it had been used. It was pointed out that even the smallest particle left on a sickroom utensil might lie the means of infection to some other patient. Then in some of the smaller homes, and large ones too, not enough care was taken in keeping sick rooms thoroughly clean. Shelves were covered with newspapers, and oil these newspapers, which may Imve been on roads or in (liters other place-, were placed utensils which for tlie safety ol patients should be thoroughly sterilised. One mail said he considered that the small homes should he swept away altogether. hilt the doctors interviewed were unanimously in favour of a more j’gid iiisnoetion of t il.

MEDICAL DELINQUENTS IN MINORITY.

With regard to the allegation of the Minister of Health (Sir Maui I’omrae). the notification of puerperal sepsis was delayed or siipprcs-ed. it was urged that this could not he made to apply to !i0 per cent, of the doctors of Christchurch. The majority faithfully carried out the regulations, and many did not wail for the second day of abnormal temperature of their patients, hill communicated with tbe authorities on the iirst day. It was admitted that a

small percentage of the profession were lax and possibly weak, delaying nolilieation and hoping for the best, lull as it was stated to the reporter, the Department should “twist tbe tail of those medico.-," A temperature after confinement might he caused number of oilier (Mmplaiuts besirres puerperal seo-is. hut tbe profession bad realised that it was unwise to delay notification, and not fair to the patient. their other patients, or to themselves. CONDEMNATION OK 1-OiU El'S. It was staled that there was a dearth of really trained and experienced maternity nurses, am! that young doctor. d : d not gain sufficient experience in New Zealand. In England no doctor was permitted to take a case until lie had taken lit) ca-.es under competent supervision, and in addition one ease in which the obstetric forceps had to bo used. In New Zealand the number to qualify was only twelve. Lurthcr. it was pci tiled out that the forceps

were used very often unne.-e--arily. Hurry on the part of the medical man was unjustifiable. for it was a breach of bis contract./ lie undertook to do the best passible ler his patient, and if lie wa • i• t prepare-! to v.,d: a r.-n nt nl.!.- Gr.;.- ho v.a. not c'.nyio;.: out Ids emit met. Then again, it a:a neee ■••:ir\ to give a patient eliiorolorui m m.lnto tee force,au.l this I:.; ! U. " elf t of caw-ing inrt!i t ,haemorrhage. The practice il i irg is;': ep . was or.e t;:a . i oulti t: it i • t.:u heartily canacmi.ed. AiEDICAL ETHICS. It was agreed that where a no-lo .*,! practitioner had a septic an e it wax a more.! e'digution To- him to ahTta.-n from midwifery work. ill's was p - ,-ihle in Christclitiiv'i. v. nece a dates had numerous colleagues to whom he enii-l turn over >:i;-h (uses. It was impossible for tics Government h'a;tfi medical officer lo inspect all infectious cases, hut the great majority of nted: cal men informed him immediately there was any suspicion. Patients bad been removed to hospital and then foil lid that then- was no infection, leu in fairness to other .maternity '■

when possibly infected patients were in the same home with them, it was the d ity of the doctor lo protect the other patient.- from any danger of infection at all costs.