Puerperal urinary tract infection

Of 15,629 cases of 28 weeks and over that were delivered vaginally, 634 or 4·1 per cent were morbid as a result of genito-urinary tract infection. Bact. coli has been used as the index of endogenous infection, and the B Haemolytic Streptococcus as that of exogenous infection. Uncomplicated breech delivery carried a lower incidence of morbidity than spontaneous vertex delivery. All the other procedures surveyed carried a higher degree of morbidity than spontaneous vertex, the incidence of endogenous infection being particularly high. This high incidence of endogenous infection was associated with trauma, except in cases of artificial rupture of the membranes. An explanation of the high incidence of endogenous infection in these cases is suggested.