London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Croydon 1942
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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| Cases attended by Midwives alone | 2,904 71.5% of total |
| Cases attended by Midwives when a doctor was also engaged | 394 |
| Cases attended by Midwives when a doctor was alss summoned | 452 |
| Total | 3,750 |
The Rules of the Central Midwives Hoard lay down that the Local Supervising Authority must be informed within 36 hours by a midwife if she has summoned medical help during pregnancy; in a confinement or within 14 days afterwards. The following table gives details of the reasons for sending for medical aid:—
| For Complications during Pregnancy. | |||
| Abortion | 11 | Other causes | 58 |
| Albuminuria | 10 | ||
| -79 | |||
| For Complications during Labour Breech | 9 | Undiagnosed | 5 |
| -14 | |||
| Uterine Inertia | 5 | Prolonged | 37 |
| Delayed | 33 | ||
| -75 | |||
| Ante-Partum | 7 | Post-Partum | 11 |
| -18 | |||
| Adherent Placenta | 9 | Illness of Mother...... | 2 |
| Torn Perineum | 131 | ||
| -142 | |||
| For Complications during Puerperium. | |||
| Pyrexia | 16 | Pain in Breasts | 3 |
| Pain in Legs | 9 | Other causes | 13 |
| -41 | |||
| For Complications in regard to the Baby. | |||
| Inflammation of Eyes | 40 | Still Birth | 4 |
| Feebleness | 13 | Other causes | 31 |
| Premature Birth | 2 | ||
| -90 | |||
| 459 | |||
In accordance with Rule 33 of the Central Midwives Board, the following reasons for the discontinuance of breast-feeding were received:—
| Illness of Mother | 11 |
| Insufficient Milk | 30 |
| Other Causes | 6 |
| Total | 47 |