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51
gations of still births were undertaken, but most
of the mothers were visited with the view of securing
their attendance at the Ante-natal Clinic in the event
of subsequent pregnancy.
Illegitimacy.—No special steps have been taken to
deal with unmarried mothers or illegitimate children.
The home for unmarried mothers and their children
which was opened in 1917 at 56, Harwood Road, has
been closed. The object of the home was to keep the
mother and child together, to enable the mother to go
out to work, and to contribute to the support of herself
and the child.
Under the Children Act the London County Council
are the authority for the registration and supervision
of foster mothers, and it is to be regretted that in this
connection there is little or no co-operation with the
infant welfare work of the Borough Council. It seems
obvious that it would be beneficial if these powers were
transferred to the Borough Council, who not only have
the necessary local knowledge, a most important
point, but would be able to utilise their various health
services in dealing with the children. As it is, although
the Borough Council are supposed to be responsible
for infant welfare in their district, the children who
need special attention and who show the highest
rate of sickness and mortality are removed from
their protection.
Incidence of Infectious Diseases of Parturient Women
and Infants and Young Children.
Puerperal Fever.—35 cases of puerperal septicaemia
were notified, or 11.3 per 1,000 births, of which 10 or
3.2 per 1,000 births' proved fatal. As was the case in
several recent years, more cases were notified in Fulham
in proportion to the population than in any metropolitan
borough. In addition to the deaths from
septicaemia, 6 deaths were attributed to other accidents
and diseases of pregnancy and 7 to pneumonia
or influenza within ten days of confinement.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.—47 infants were notified
by doctors or midwives as suffering from ophthalmia.