London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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London County Council 1906

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]

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1st day (day of confinement).2nd.3rd.4th.5th.6th.7th.8th.9th.10th.After 10th day.
Rise of temperature Recovery471239105425124
Fatal32*22473213_26
Medical aid called. Recovery5283487524236
Fatal387359211226
Case notified— Recovery52353979628
Fatal31t1423232113

Of the 38 fatal cases 10 died during first week of confinement, 13 during second week, 6 during
third week, 4 during fourth week, three during second month, two during third month or later.
Lists of births.—Midwives practising within the County were asked to send in weekly lists of the
cases attended by them, forms and stampe d envelopes being supplied for this purpose. The information
thus supplied has been distributed to the several medical officers of health in London, with one exception
where the information was not desired. The lists are received each week on Monday and Tuesday morning
and the information is sent to the medical officers on the Friday, so that the mothers may be visited about
11 or 12 days after the birth of the child, i.e., at the time when the midwife ceases to be responsible for
the case. Some 212 midwives supplied lists more or less regularly, and among these were most of the
midwives with large practices. Lists were also received from 14 institutions employing midwives. By
the courtesy of the authorities of six lying.in hospitals, lists of the addresses of mothers discharged
from their hospitals and going to houses in London were also supplied.

The following figures afford some information of the extent of the practice of midwives:. Each of 22 midwives recorded attendance on more than 300 cases in the year.

99109999from250.30099
9912999999200.25099
9922999999150.20099
9932999999100.15099
995499999950.10099
992799999920.5099
9933999999less than 2099
212

The midwives of the fourteen institutions mentioned above recorded 5,380 cases attended in the
patients' own homes.
The total number of births recorded was 30,749 or about one quarter of the births in London—
of these infants 1,074 were either still.born or died within a week of birth.
Charges by midwives.—The fees charged by midwives vary in different localities from 5s. upwards,
but as a general average a fee of 7s. 6d. (or 10s. if patient be a primipara) is expected, while some of
the charities employing midwives pay them 5s. a case. It is apparent from the figures given that only a
small proportion of midwives can depend solely upon their practice for their livelihood. Some of
those midwives having an extensive practice are approved by the Central Midwives Board to give
practical instruction to pupils, and in this way supplement their income.
Lying.in hospitals, etc.—The lying.in hospitals in London take in some 5,000 women annually
and provide for attendance on some 10,000 patients in their own homes. The poor.law infirmaries, it is
estimated, receive 2,000 cases a year. Many charitable institutions also arrange for confinements to be
attended either free or at a nominal fee.
Scholarships.—A scheme was arranged in 1905 for granting scholarships of the value of £25
to pupil midwives. A condition is imposed to the effect that when qualified the scholar must practise
for two years in London. Five scholarships were granted during the year.
Classes for midwives.—The Education Committee has arranged classes for instruction in midwifery
for the benefit of midwives whose training was deficient, or who were trained many years ago, and many
uncertificated midwives have availed themselves of this instruction.
Lying.in homes.—The question of the licensing of lying.in homes was under consideration
during the year, and enquiry was made by Dr. Wanklyn into the accommodation and methods of a
number of these homes. An Act passed in 1773 required all lying.in hospitals to be licensed. It was
found that four such hospitals had been licensed, but that for over 80 years no application for a licence
had been made.
Sanitary Inspectors.
A return showing the number of sanitary inspectors in the service of the several sanitary authorities
is appended (see Appendix VI.). The total number of inspectors employed in London in 1906 shows an
* No information was obtained with regard to the date of rise of temperature in the remaining eleven cases.
‡ The remaining seven fatal cases were not notified.
14911 M