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65
There were two deaths of infants during the first year of life from the
following causes:—
Broncho-pneumonia, Prematurity, aged 2 weeks.
Cardiac failure, Broncho-pneumonia, aged 7 months.
Notifications were received that it was proposed to substitute artificial
feeding in respect of three infants.
Gas and Air Analgesia.—In September, 1948, arrangements were
made for the administration of gas and air analgesia by domiciliary midwives.
From that time to the end of the year analgesia was administered in
69 cases, of which 37 were attended by the Domiciliary Midwives (36 when
acting as midwives and 1 when acting as maternity nurse) and 32 were
attended by the Salvation Army midwives (30 when acting as midwives
and 2 when acting as maternity nurses).
All the domiciliary midwives employed at the end of the year were
qualified to administer gas and air analgesia and the two Salvation Army
midwives were also so qualified. In addition, two of the private midwives
practising in the area were qualified in this respect.
Four sets of apparatus for the purpose of the administration of gas
and air analgesia are stored at the Ambulance Depot and the apparatus
is transported to the house of the patient on the request of the midwife.
The Salvation Army midwives also have one machine, which is kept at
their Branch Home and taken or sent to the home of the patient when
required.
The service is freely available to all having home confinements, provided
there are no medical contra-indications, and each expectant mother on
booking the midwife is supplied with a leaflet explaining the nature and the
availability of the service.
Domestic Helps.—By Section 29 of the National Health Service Act,
1946, the Domestic Help Service became the responsibility of the Local
Health Authority (Essex County Council) from 5th July, 1948, who delegated
the functions in llford to the Health Area Sub-Committee.
At 31st December, 108 part-time Domestic Helps were on the register.
A full-time Organiser controls the service under the general direction of
the Area Medical Officer.
The following is a summary of the cases dealt with in 1948:—
(а) Number of applications received for assistance 890
(b) Number for whom Home or Domestic Helps were
provided (including 39 who were having the
service at the commencement of the year) 651
(c) Number of cases which on investigation were either
not eligible for assistance or did not require the
service 126
(d) Number of cases where Domestic Help is required in
future months 69
(e) Enquiries incomplete Nil.