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109
Breast Massage.
The following summary gives particulars of mothers referred for breast
massage from 10, John Street in 1929:—
Number referred to Metropolitan Nursing Association 22
Results:—
Lactation completely restored 11
Breast secretion re-established, but small bottle feeds required in
addition to breast feeding 5
Massage unsuccessful 5
Information unobtainable 1
Diarrhoea.
In spite of the hot dry summer there was a marked decrease in the number of
cases of diarrhoea seen at the Centres, all but one were cases of simple diarrhoea:—
10, John Street. Short's Gardens.
Simple diarrhoea 17 cases 3 cases.
Ordinary summer diarrhoea none 1 case.
Stillbirths.
During 1929 24 stillbirths were registered, 20 of which were legitimate.
Eight occurred in the private practice of doctors, one in the private practice of a midwife,
two in the extern practice of an institution, and in 11 instances the confinement took place in
hospitals; in two cases no information was obtainable on this point.
Difficult labour was responsible for 10; for nine of these a more or less definite reason
can be assigned. In four abnormal presentation occurred; in two the mother's pelvis was
contracted; in one there was abnormality of the placenta; in one there was fibroid growth
in the vaginal tract; in one the foetus was abnormally large. Constitutional maternal disorders;
appeared to account for three stillbirths; toxaemia of pregnancy for one; prematurity for one
and degeneration of the placenta for another. In two cases no useful information as to any
possible cause was forthcoming. Two of the stillbirths occurred in homes above the standard
for enquiry; in four no information was obtainable, the parents not being traceable.
Illegitimate Children.
The births of 42 illegitimate children were registered; six of these were above
the standard for enquiry; nine lived with both their parents who had a permanent
home together; two with their mothers who worked to support them; two with
their mothers who remained in their parents' home; two were boarded out with
foster mothers; one died in early infancy; four were stillborn; 16 children could not
be traced, the mother often not having stayed at the address given for more than
one or two nights before the birth of the child.
Dental Treatment.
The following is a summary of the work during 1929 at the Council's Dental
Clinic, No. 10, John Street, open on Thursday afternoons for nursing or expectant
mothers, and children under five years of age:—