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111
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
"In only 792 cases were comforters not in use (Clapham,
North, 73; Clapham, South, 22; Putney 35, Streatham 39,
Balham 41, Tooting 61, Southfield 116, Fairfield 133, Springfield
272). In 90 instances where they were in use at the first
visit they were discontinued at the second (Clapham, North,
four; Clapham, South, seven; Putney six, Streatham four,
Balham seven, Tooting 14, Southfield 10, Fairfield 12, Springfield
26).
"With regard to the employment of midwives, out of the
3,488 mothers visited 1,342 availed themselves of their services.
Of these, 1,073 employed midwives registered under
the London County Council (Clapham, North, 64; Clapham,
South, 48; Putney 63, Streatham 52, Balham 151, Tooting
223, Southfield 97, Fairfield 86, Springfield 289). The nonregistered
midwives were employed chiefly by the very poor
(Clapham, North, one; Clapham, South, 16; Putney 11,
Streatham 26, Balham 37, Tooting 48, Southfield 36, Fairfield
46, Springfield 48), and during the early part of the year,
as in accordance with the Midwives Act, they were prohibited
from practising after April 1st, 1910. Any case of infringement
of the Act discovered by us we have at once reported
to you.
"The sanitary defects found in the course of our work
were remedied, or if involving structural work, referred to
you. 200 intimation notices were served (Clapham, South,
14; Putney one, Streatham 17, Balham 32, Tooting 61, Southfield
11, Fairfield 25, Springfield 39), and 14 statutory notices
were required (Balham two, Tooting seven, Southfield one,
and Springfield four)."