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
Wimbledon 1945
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wimbledon]
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Maternal Mortality.
There were two maternal deaths amongst Wimbledon mothers in
1945, both of which occurred in Hospitals outside the Borough.
The causes of death were as follows:—
(i) Eclampsia of Pregnancy.
(ii) (a) Pulmonary Embolism.
(b) Femoral Thrombo-phlebitis following first pregnancy.
There were also two maternal deaths amongst Wimbledon
mothers in 1944.
The following table gives the maternal mortality rates for Wimbledon and also for England and Wales:—
| 1945 | No. 140 | No. 141 | No. 147 | Other maternal causes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A bortion with sepsis | A bortion without sepsis | Puerperal Infections | ||
| WIMBLEDON: | ||||
| Per 1,000 live births | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.22 | 1.22 |
| Per 1,000 total births | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.21 | 1.21 |
| England and Wales: | ||||
| Per 1.000 total births | 0.25 | 0.08 | 0.24 | 1.22 |
Hospital Treatment for Complicated Obstetric Cases.—During
1945 sixteen patients received treatment under this scheme.
The cost of maintenance and treatment of these patients amounted
to £110 10s. 0d, of which £18. 16s. 0d. was recovered from the
relatives.
Domiciliary Treatment for Complicated Obstetric Cases.—Two
consulting Obstetricians, Mr. Leslie Williams and Mr. Vincent
O'Sullivan, are available for consultation with medical practitioners
for any complicated case at home in connection with pregnancy or
childbirth. During 1945 they were called in on five occasions.
Supply of Milk to Expectant and Nursing Mothers and Infants.—
In addition to the National Milk Scheme administered by the Ministry
of Food, 941bs. of dried milk were supplied under the Maternity and
Child Welfare Scheme.
Emergency Maternity Hostels and Homes.—On and after the
31st August, 1945. the cost of evacuating expectant mothers, whose
home conditions were unsuitable for confinements, to emergency
hostels and homes in the country, through the L.C.C. scheme, became
the financial responsibility of the Corporation, a flat rate charge of
14/- per diem being made. Where, however, the mother was accommodated
in a billet during the ante-natal period and provided only
with lodging, the Hat rate charge over the whole period was 11/per
diem.
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