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from Lving-in Hospitals ten days after their confinement, who thereafter
had to receive medical attention, and a resolution was adopted asking
that the Ministry may sec their way to consider the question of the
desirability of making it, in future, a condition of their grant that mothers
shall not be discharged from the Institution until fourteen days have
elapsed following confinement, or such further period as may be necessary
in cases requiring mcdical treatment.
Mortality in Child-birth.—Ten cases of puerperal fever were notified
with 2 deaths. Three were inmates of hospitals, 2 having been sent
in from Rescue Homes for their confinement. Six women died after
child-birth from complications : eclampsia 3 ; postpartum hemorrhage
1 ; cæsarean section 1 ; rupture of uterus 1; making a total mortality
of 3.53 per 1,000 confinements.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.—See under communicable, diseases.
Home-helps.—Before the war, some women were employed to undertake
the work of the home while the mother was laid up or away in hospital,
but during the war these women found more remunerative work or were
relieved of the need of employment, and it has not been possible to get
others to take their places. On the other hand, there appears to be some
disinclination to leave a stranger in charge, and preference is given to
a relative or neighbour.
Convalescent Homes.—The Council had arranged that mothers after
confinement may go for a stay of 2-3 weeks at St. Mary's Home, Birchington-on-Sea,
but as accommodation could not readily be obtained,
the Council decided to avail themselves of other Homes where vacancies
could be obtained. No mothers were sent in 1920. In the Soho area,
similar facilities are provided by the St. Henry Fund, of which the Medical
Officer of Health is ex-officio a trustee. Others were sent away through
various charitable agencies.
Mothercraft Classes.—These exist at each Centre and are attended
by mothers both before and after confinement. The class at the Pimlico
Centre is under the care of Mrs. Coleman and Mrs.Grice,of the Westminster
Branch of the British Red Cross Society, the former superintending the
class giving instructions to the mothers and supervising the cutting out
and making of garments for the children, the latter, with the assistance of
other ladies, looks after the children who accompany their mothers.
It is proposed to start a similar class at Bessborough Street so soon as the
assent of the Ministry can be obtained.