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maternal mortality as shown by the following table, which shows
the total Puerperal Mortality per 1,000 live births for Finsbury,
London, and England and Wales for the last nine years.
Year.
Finsbury.
London.
England
& Wales.
1928 3.40 3.48 4.42
1929 2.18 3.49 4.33
1930 8.47 3.21 4.40
1931 3.96 3.68 4.11
1932 0.00 2.90 4.21
1933 1.98 3.54 4.51
1934 0.00 2.71 4.60
1935 1.07 2.52 4.10
1936 1.19 1.98 3.81
It will be seen that the Puerperal Mortality in the Borough
has been on the average less than that of London as a whole
and England and Wales.
The figures above are based on those deaths in which pregnancy
or childbirth was a primary cause of death ; this is popularly known
as the Maternal Mortality.
As has been stated, the mortality in London generally is less
than that of England and Wales, and in Finsbury the even smaller
mortality is no doubt due to the Midwifery Scheme of the Borough
Council and the fact that the Hospital and Consultative facilities
are so adequate.
It should be noted that very few confinements are attended
by a private practitioner or private midwife. Over 600 cases
were dealt with under the Scheme, the remainder being confined
in other London Voluntary Hospitals or London County Council
Hospitals. A few cases were attended in the district by either
University College Hospital or the Royal Free Hospital.
Midwifery Scheme.
The Midwifery Scheme of the Council works efficiently and
well, although the Borough Council have not quite the same
control as was experienced when Municipal Midwives were employed
direct by the Council.