Neonatal tetanus in St Kilda.
Neonatal tetanus was prevalent in the Scottish Islands in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the island of St Kilda, neonatal mortality reached 690 per 1,000 live births, and was passively accepted by the community. Many speculative ideas concerning its aetiology were propounded until unsanitary conditions were counteracted by simple measures of hygiene in caring for the newborn babies.
D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000266:history* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D012606:Scotland; D013742:Tetanus / Q000266:history* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control