Definition of puerperal fever
: an abnormal condition that results from infection of the placental site following delivery or abortion and is characterized in mild form by fever but in serious cases the infection may spread through the uterine wall or pass into the bloodstream
— called also childbed fever, puerperal sepsis
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for puerperal fever
The first known use of puerperal fever was in 1716
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