puerperal fever

noun

Pathology.

1. a systemic bacterial infection of the endometrium characterized by fever, rapid heartbeat, uterine tenderness, and malodorous discharge, chiefly occurring in women after childbirth, usually as the result of unsterile obstetric procedures.

puerperal fever

noun

1. a serious, formerly widespread, form of blood poisoning caused by infection contracted during childbirth

Word History and Origins

Origin of puerperal fever¹

First recorded in 1760–70