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45
In addition there was one maternal death in hospital not
ascribcd to causes directly associated with the puerperium.
The rates for London and England and Wales in 1936 were
1-86 and 3-65 respectively.
Maternal Deaths in Child-birth, and Maternal Mortality
Rate per 1,000 Births (Live and Still).
Year.
Puerperal sepsis.
Other
puerperal causes.
Total.
No.
Rate.
No.
Rate.
No.
Rate.
1931
5
1.97
10
3.93
15
5.90
1932
2
0.83
2
0.84
4
1.67
1933
4
1.72
1
0.43
5
2.15
1934
3
1.35
4
1.80
7
3.15
1935
—
—
4
1.84
4
1.84
Mean,
1931-35
2.8
1.17
4.2
1.77
70
2.94
1936
3
1.37
2
0.91
5
2.29
It will be noted that the maternal mortality in the borough
was, in total, under the average for the previous quinquennium.
Following the usual procedure, and in accordance with the instructions
of the Ministry of Health, each of the 5 deaths of Battersea
mothers was fully investigated, and reports submitted to the
Ministry.
The Council has made free provision under its Maternity and
Child Welfare scheme for the ante-natal examination of expectant
mothers. Doctors and practising midwives are invited to refer
expectant mothers for examination and report by the consultant
specialist who attends the ante-natal clinics on three days weekly,
but up to the present they have failed to avail themselves of the
facilities provided by the Council for this purpose to any appreciable
extent. The Council have also agreed to compensate any practising
midwife who suffers loss of fees owing to her patient (having been
referred by her to the Council's ante-natal clinic) entering hospital
for her confinement on the advice of the medical officer of the
clinic, vide page 39.
Arrangements have also been made on the lines suggested by
the Ministry to place at the disposal of medical practitioners practising
in Battersea, specialist advice in difficult maternity cases.
This service was not requisitioned during 1936.
Convalescent Homes.
During 1936, accommodation was provided for 12 mothers
and 15 children attending the Maternity and Child Welfare clinics
at four approved convalescent homes. The cost incurred by