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63
Medical Investigation Sub-Committee.
The work of this Committee is proving of great value. It consists
of the medical members of the Council (E. Collingwood
Andrews, Esq., M.A., M.D., S. Boyd, Esq., M.S., F.R.C.S.,
S. Monckton Copeman, Esq., M.D., F.R.S., F.R.C.S., L. G. Glover,
Esq., M.A., M.D.), who investigate in detail all deaths of Infants
under 2 years of age, Still Births, Puerperal Fever and Pyrexia, and
Maternal Deaths. The Medical Officer of Health has previously
ascertained all particulars relating to each case from the Health
Visitors, General Practitioners, and Hospital Medical Officers concerned.
All the information obtained is treated in a confidential
manner, and as a result of the investigations either adjustments of
the existing administrative procedure, or other measures are undertaken
which are calculated to prevent a recurrence of the conditions
ascertained to be the cause of the fatality. During the year the Committee
investigated:—
Deaths of Infants under 2 years 63
Still Births 26
Puerperal Fever —
Puerperal Pyrexia 11
Maternal Deaths 2
Total 102
During the course of the investigation the following facts
emerged, which are of interest. Of the deaths under 2 years of age,
74 per cent. occurred in institutions, and of the 30 deaths occurring
during the first month, 70 per cent. of the mothers had not attended
an ante-natal clinic, whilst of the 19 deaths between 2 months and
one year, 53 per cent. had never attended an infant welfare centre.
Of the 26 still births, 77 per cent. of the mothers had not attended
the ante-natal clinics, whilst not one of the Maternal Deaths had
attended the ante-natal clinics. There were 16 deaths of illegitimate
children under 2 years of age, which represents a Mortality
Rate of 89 per 1,000 illegitimate births as compared with 26 for
legitimate children.
Consulting Obstetricians.
The Council has inaugurated a scheme whereby the services of
obstetricians of consultant status are available to all medical practi-