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109
During the year an Obstetrician was called in upon two occasions.
In both cases the emergency arose on account of ante-partum
haemorrhage; in one case lateral placenta praevia and, in the other,
low implantation of the placenta, was diagnosed.
In addition to the above arrangements, the Council agreed to cooperate
in the provision by the London County Council of an
Emergency Obstetrical Service which is designed to meet the case of
a patient who cannot be removed to hospital without undue risk. The
emergency unit, which is staffed by a doctor with special obstetrical
experience and a midwife, carries the appropriate equipment and is sent
direct to the patient's home upon the requisition of the medical
attendant or, in the case of grave emergency, of the midwife in
attendance.
The scheme provides for the recovery of all or part of the Consultant's
fee where circumstances warrant it.
4. The Maternity Home.
The record of the Municipal Maternity Home shows that the work
carried out during 1938 is on the same high level as in previous years.
The following are the details supplied to me by Dr. Hill concerning
the cases admitted during 1938:—
Cases admitted, 256.
Average stay, 2 weeks.
Cases delivered by midwives. 212.
,, „ „ doctors, 10.
Cases in which medical advice sought, 35. (Plus 55 sutures).
Cases notified as puerperal fever, Nil.
„ ,, ,, puerperal pyrexia, 2 (Pleurisy and Pyelitis).
Cases of Pemphigus Neonatorum, Nil.
Notified as Ophthalmia Neonatorum, Nil.
Infants not entirely breast fed, Nil.
Maternal deaths, Nil.
Infant deaths (a) Stillborn, 12.
(b) Within 10 days of birth, 2.
So far as is practicable, only cases likely to follow a normal course
are admitted. Should an abnormality develop after the date of
"booking," the patient is referred to hospital.