Bacteriology of fatal systemic infections following miscarriage or abortion

From this study of the bacteria found in women dying from sepsis following abortion, it appears that the hemolytic streptococcus is more often found than other organisms, but that such bacteria as B. coli and staphylococci are not infrequently present. It is possible that the hemolytic streptococci are present in the lochia but it appears that some outside influence such as trauma from instrumentation, douches, and the like are necessary to bring about generalized infection.