PUERPERAL FEVER 253 



had not considered her case anything more than common 

 till this visit. I had on a surtout at this visit, which, on 

 my return to Mrs. S., I left in another room. Mrs. S. was 

 delivered on i3th with forceps. These women both died of 

 decided puerperal fever. 



" While I attended these women in their fevers I changed 

 my clothes, and washed my hands in a solution of chloride 

 of lime after each visit. I attended seven women in labor 

 during this period, all of whom recovered without sickness. 



" In my practice I have had several single cases of 

 puerperal fever, some of whom have died and some have 

 recovered. Until the year 1830 I had no suspicion that 

 the disease could be communicated from one patient to 

 another by a nurse or midwife; but I now think the fore- 

 going facts strongly favor that idea. I was so much con- 

 vinced of this fact that I adopted the plan before related. 



" I believe my own health was as good as usual at each 

 of the above periods. I have no recollection to the con- 

 trary. 



" I believe I have answered all your questions. I have 

 been more particular on some points perhaps than neces- 

 sary; but I thought you could form your own opinion 

 better than to take mine. In 1830 I wrote to Dr. Chan- 

 ning a more particular statement of my cases. If I have 

 not answered your questions sufficiently, perhaps Dr. C. 

 may have my letter to him, and you can find your answer 

 there."" 



" BOSTON, February 3, 1843. 



III. "Mv DEAR SIR: I received a note from you last 

 evening requesting me to answer certain questions therein 

 proposed, touching the cases of puerperal fever which came 

 under my observation the past summer. It gives me pleas- 

 ure to comply with your request, so far as it is in my power 

 so to do, but, owing to the hurry in preparing for a journey, 

 the notes of the cases I had then taken were lost or mislaid. 

 The principal facts, however, are too vivid upon my recol- 

 lection to be soon forgotten. I think, therefore, that I shall 

 be able to give you all the information you may require. 



11 In a letter to myself this gentleman also stated, " I do not recollect 

 that there was any erysipelas or any ether disease particularly prevalent 

 at the time." 



