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52
the Ebury Bridge Housing Estate, was opened by their Worships the
Mayor and Mayoress, Captain and Mrs. J. F. C. Bennett, in November,
1931.
The temporary premises at Monck Street and Westbourne Street,
which had served as a tuberculosis dispensary and maternity and child
welfare centre respectively, were vacated before the end of the year.
(2) Maternity and Child Welfare Centre at Marshall Street. This
new centre, which, though self-contained, is part of the new large
baths building at Marshall Street, replaces the temporary centre at
9, Frith Street. Soho Square. The building, which, in addition to the
departments mentioned, contains wash-houses, private baths, rates offices
and highways depots, was opened by the Mayor in April, 1931. The
centre was described in the report of last year, with photographs of the
principal rooms.
(3) The new centre of the Westminster Health Society at 121,
Marsham Street, replaces the centre at 30, Page Street, which, though
in existence only since 1926, had to be demolished as the site was required
for the City Council's Grosvenor Housing Estate. This new centre,
which was almost complete at the end of the year, embodies the most
modern conception of what a welfare centre should be. It is considerably
larger than the previous centre in Page Street and its layout and equipment
pay tribute to the knowledge and experience of the Society, which has
devoted itself to the work of maternity and child welfare in the City for
close on thirty years. The centre consists of three floors, with accommodation
for resident caretaker. Distinctive features include open-air nurseries
and sun flats for the children.
Maternal Mortality.—Arrangements for the investigation of
maternal deaths and cases of puerperal fever and puerperal pyrexia were
set up by the City Council in 1927 and remain in force. These provisions
were fully reported upon in the reports for 1929 and 1930. Neither the
obstetric consultant nor the pathologist was called upon to act during the
year. The reason for this is that women suffering from puerperal con"
ditions do not remain at home for treatment, but are immediately admitted
to hospital on notification. There were ten maternal deaths, the same as
in 1930, and again similarly all the ten died in institutions. A summary
of results of inquiry are given below:—
A.D. (43).—Married. First pregnancy, previously suffered from
pulmonary tuberculosis. Developed acute bronchitis immediately before
labour. After delivery broncho-pneumonia supervened and death