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cases there appeared to be no infringement of the provisions of section 1 (1) of the Act. In one instance
a woman who used the title of midwife was cautioned by letter and in another case legal proceedings
were instituted and a fine of Is. and 2s. costs was imposed. One uncertified woman, an Italian, practising
in the Italian quarter, had two fatal cases of puerperal fever in her practice, and there was good reason to
believe that she carried infection from one case to the other. She was reported to be wanting in cleanliness.
Another uncertified woman was concerned in a case in which it was alleged that an illegal
operation had been performed. The patient died and as a result of the coroner's inquest this woman
was brought before the magistrate on a charge of murder. The magistrate did not consider the evidence
sufficient and dismissed the case. A considerable practice is carried on by these unregistered women
and complaints are made from time to time by certified midwives as to their practice.
Medical Aid Notices.—The rules of the Central Midwives Board prescribe that under certain
circumstances, which are set out in detail, a midwife must decline to attend alone and must advise that
a medical practitioner be called in. The rules also provide that whenever a medical man is called in
the midwife must send to the Local Supervising Authority within 24 hours a notice stating the reason
why medical help is required. The number of such notices received during the year was 2,320, or more
than twice the number received in 1905. Three midwives called in medical aid 94, 79 and 71 times
respectively.
Each of 2 midwives sent 50-70 " medical aid notices."
do. 2 „ 40.50 „ „
do. 5 „ 30.40 „ „
do. 13 „ 20.30 „ „
do. 34 „ 10.20
do. 236 „ less than 10 „ „
It will be seen from this statement that of the 490 midwives who gave notice of intention to
practise during the year some 200 did not give notice of calling in medical aid; these were all women
who do not practise regularly. It would appear from the notices received that on the average a midwife
calls in medical aid to the mother or child in nearly eight per cent, of the cases she undertakes. The five
midwives who sent for medical help more than 50 times are midwives with large practices.
The great increase in the figures over those for 1905 is no doubt due to a fuller knowledge on the
part of midwives of the rules requiring them to send in their notices.