The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1936-03-05
MATERNAL DEATH RATE Isl
LARGER THAN NECESSARY
Are Largely Preventable, State
Are Largely Prevtntable, State
Health Officer Asserts
COUNTY STATUS is SHOWN

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A study of maternal deaths in the
State of Maryland has recently been
made by ]. H. Mason Knox, Jr., chief
of the Bureau of Child Hygiene of the
Maryland State Department of
Health, and his conclusions, espec-
tally those relating to people of Gar
rett county were sent to DR.. E. C.
Peck, health officer.
The article by DR.. Knox follows:
Maternal Deaths in Garrett County
1 have been lately reviewing the
deaths among women due to causes
associated with child bearing, which
have occurred in the counties of Mary
land.
During 1885 there were SIS such
deaths in 1927 live births reported,
giving a maternal death rate Of per
1000 births. This means that out of
every thousand births, four women
lost their lives from some associated
complication.
No misfortune ought to arouse the
sympathy of community so much as
The expectant mother is said to be the
most valuable member of society and
all precautions that are known to the
medical profession should be taken to
provide for every mother such care as
will reduce to minimum the danger
to herself and her child. Experience
the world over shows conclusively that
when mothers receive examination and
advice from physicians early in their
period of waiting and are delivered
under skilled, clearly conditions, the
death rate is reduced more than one
half. In the mountains of Kentucky,
for example, more than 200 rural
women have been delivered by nurse
midwives with the loss of the life of
only one mother.
Generally speaking, about two
thirds of all maternal deaths are due
to two conditions, infection and kidney
complications and both Of these dis
eases are largely preventable.
In the last five years in Garrett
county there have been 16 deaths OF
women in childbearing, IL of which
have been the result of the two con-
ditions referred to-. Last year four
women residents of the county died
from kidney complications and only
one of them had had preventive care.
Last year the maternal death rate
in Garrett county was double that in
the counties as whole.
In order to reduce the number OF
maternal deaths, it is necessary that
the patient herself realize the import
ance of securing medical care early.
Every husband should see to it that
his wife has this care which may save
her life and that of his unborn child.
Unless the laity realize the Importance
of this matter and inform the physl-
clan, the doctor is at a great dlsad-
vantage and may be called at the last
minute to find a desperate condition
which might have been prevented II
he had had the continuous care Of the
patient from the beginning. Such de-
law is not fair to the physician and is
extremely dangerous for the patient
People who are not able to employ a
physician should notify the county
health officer, who will have a public
health nurse visit the home, give gen
eral directions, help in making prepa-
rations, try to persuade the family
to call a physician and at least report
to him and to the Health Officer the
result of her visits.
In the tabulation of the 16 fatal
cases in Garrett county, satisfactory
care of the mother before delivery was
noted in but six cases; In nine IN
stances there was no examination or
advice whatever before the birth OF
the child. This situation has a fur
Their consequence, viz, the danger 10
the newborn infant.
There were 81 infant deaths in
Garrett county under one year OF age
in 1885 and of these Fl occurred IN
babies under one month. 1t is evil
dent that this loss of early life cannot
be much reduced by measures which
are effective in saving the lives of
older babies. Most of these lives that
flicker ont in the first weeks do SO
because of the mothers condition
and can be saved only through ade-
quate care of the mother before, dur
ing and after the birth OF her child
The people of Garrett county repre-
sent some of the best native STOCK IN
the State. Their mothers and chill
dren are worth saving. Every woman
in the county should understand that
she should consult a physician as
soon as she knows that baby is ex-
pected. If this is impossible for any
good reason, the Health Officer should
be notified and he, through his nurses
will do as much as he can with the
cooperation of the physicians OF the
county, to give the necessary assist
ance.
A community plan for prenatal and
natal care for every expectant woman
who cannot provide for herself woulc
do much to save the lives of mothers
and newly-born infants. Let every
citizen adopt the slogan, mo more
preventable deaths among women anc
young children in Garrett county"