Upon the Destruction of the Puerperal Miasma in Lying-In Hospitals.
By Dr. Busch.—The means employed by the author consist in heating
the room to a high degree with dry air. This is effected by round iron |
stoves placed in the centre of the room, and connected with the chimney
by metal tubes. The heat can be raised to 50.60° R. (about 155° F.)
This must be kept up for two days, during which time all furniture and
utensils are to remain in the room.
In March, 1851, puerperal fever invaded the Berlin Lying-in Hospital
with remarkable severity; nearly all the patients suffered, and the Insti-
tution was closed for six weeks, during which time there was the most
careful ventilation and purification. These means proved insufficient.
Upon the re-opening of the hospital, all the new patients became attacked
by the disease a few days after delivery. Then the author tried the
plan here detailed in every room in the house. The effect was surpris-
ing; no fresh attack occurred during the whole summer. The same
measures were adopted some time afterwards, and with the same success.
—London Med. Times, from N. Ztsclir. fur Gebwitsk.