Puerperal Fever.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 72, 26 February 1885, Page 4

Puerperal Fever.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEA- ; „ LAND TIMES. Sir, — There being considerable alarm just now concerning this disease, not only m Wellington but m other parts of the colony where it has appeared, it is time something should be done for the protection of the people. With that view I have thought, it advisable to publish m your paper the result of modern investigation into the disease. Everyone knows that it is not of modern origin. Hippocrates, Cullen, Willis, and numerous other authors of antiquity describe very fully what is roughly termed puerperal or child-, bed fever. It is my intention to avoid discussing the' many conflicting theories concerning the disease, and to limit myself m supplying data that will be of every day use to the community. It is now universally admitted that a lying-in-woman is peculiarly susceptible to contamination from all sources whether within herself or from without. From within herself is meant the bruised surfaces of the uterus and vagina and their discharges; from without is meant her surroundings generally, food, air, and water, and bodily contact with persons or things. Now owing to the researches of such men as Klein, Koch, Pasteur, Tyndall, Cohn, Schroter, Beale, Burdon-Sanderson, &c, &c;, the germ theory of disease is being placed upon a more scientific basis, and there is strong evidence to warrant the presumption that all contagious and infectious disease is intimately connected with living germs or microorganisms, that these germs enter the blood and directly or indirectly cause all the mischief. Certain it is that erysipelas, For example, may be artificially produced by cultivating one of these germs, termed by scientists the " micrococcus erysipelatosus," and inoculating persons with it. Further* erysipelas and puerperal fever seems to be mutually convertible, for cases are on record where puerperal fever has been produced by erysipelas, and erysipelas by puerperal fever, But not only will erysipelas produce puerperal fever m a lying-in woman, but almost any other contagion will do the same, as that of diptheria, scarlet-fevei, discharges from wounds, or the products of dead bodies, etc. The practical lesson to be learned, then, is to see that the lying-in patient be surrounded "with a pure atmosphere, to see that she be thoroughly cleansed, that no one approaches her, nor enters the room, who has lately been near any of these sources of contagion. Nor should the patient be touched by anyone whose Jiands and garments are not scrupiously clean. This of course is all-important m the case of nurse and medical attendant. Nurses would do well m all cases to be liberal m the use of disinfectants, of which perhaps iodine is the best, m the form of tincture, added to the water used for ablution of self and patient. — I am, &c, . Geo. W. Cole, L.M.C.P., L.D., &c. Cuba-street.