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13
CARE OF PREMATURE INFANTS:
The arrangements outlined in the 1944 Report remain in
operation. It should be noted that the six infants who died of prematurity
did so within a very short time of birth before the question of nursing care
arose. During the year 32 births were notified where the birth weight was
5½r lbs or less, 24 of which were in respect of premature births. Of these,
11 were born at home, 8 being nursed entirely at home. Of the 11 babies
born at home, 10 survived at the end of one month.
HOME HELPS:
The Council provides a service of Home Helps during the
post natal and ante-natal period for domiciliary cases. The Home Help
Service has been maintained and has worked satisfactorily. 60 applications
for this service were received during the year.
At the end of the year the panel of Home Helps consisted of 5 persons. The
staff shortage for this work has already been noted.
HOSPITAL TREATMENT:
The arrangement between the Council and the Elizabeth
Garrett Anderson Hospital for the retention of one cot has persisted throughout
the year and has worked very satisfactorily. Arrangements were made
during the year for the admission of eight children to Hospital under the
Council's arrangements.
EAR. NOSE AND THROAT HOSPITALS:
The Royal Free Hospital has continued to admit Finshury
children requiring tonsillectomy. Similar arrangements exist with the
Central London Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital and Archway Hospital. Mr.Milloy
F.R.C.S., Medical Superintendent of Archway Hospital, continued to accept
cases from Finsbury for operation at short notice as he has done in the past.
PUERPERAL FEVER AND PUERPERAL PYREXIA:
During 1945 there were five cases of puerperal pyrexia
and throe cases of puerperal fever notified in Finsbury. This gives a rate
per 1,000 Live and Still births of 16.5 as compared with 9.93 for England and
Wales, and 15.87 for the London Administrative County.
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM:
The number of cases of Opthalmia Neonatorum notified was
two. One of those cases was treated at home and one in hospital. In neither
case was there impairment of vision.
CONVALESCENT TREATMENT:
The Council continued their arrangements with the Dedisham
Convalescent Home where two cots are retained and with the Noel Home, Letchworth
where four cots are retained. The number of children admitted to these homes
during the year was 21. In addition, children were referred for convalescence
through the Invalid Children's Aid Association, which dealt with 11 cases
during the year.