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figures that in 8.4 per cent. of the cases medical aid is sought for some reason. In 5.8 per cent. of
the cases attended medical help is sought for the mother, and in 2.6 per cent. the child requires
attention by a doctor.
It will be noticed that of the cases in which medical aid was sought on behalf of the child, in no
less than 56 per cent. the reason assigned was dangerous feebleness due in a large measure to prematurity.
In connection with the subject of premature birth, the Council authorised the purchase of
samples of drugs which are suspected to be taken as abortifacients. These drugs are largely advertised
under various descriptions, and with a view to ascertain whether any injurious ingredients entered
into their composition, samples were analysed by the Council's chemist. In none of the samples obtained
was there any recognised abortifacient, but most of the drugs contained strong purgatives.
Still-births.—During the year 240 midwives reported the occurrence of still-births in their
practice, the number of such still-births reported being 740. The adoption of a form for notifying
still-births, copies of which were sent to each midwife, has no doubt led to a larger number of these
cases being reported, the numbers for 1905 and 1906 being respectively 405 and 574.
1 midwife reported 16 still-births 16
1 ,, ,, 15 ,, l5
1 19 19
3 midwives reported 11 still-births each 33
1 midwife reported 10 „ 10
3 midwives reported 9 still-births each 27
3 ,, ,, 8 ,, ,, 24
5 ,, ,, 7 35
18 „ „ 6 „ „ 108
22 „ „ 5 „ „ 110
21 ,, ,, 4 ,, ,, 84
32 „ „ 3 „ 96
41 „ „ 2 „ „ 82
88 „ „ 1 „ „ 88
240 midwives reported all together 740 still-births.
If this figure represents the total number of still-births in the practice of midwives, it would mean
that some 2.5 per cent. of the children delivered by midwives in London were still-born. The figures,
which have kindly been furnished by the Secretary of the Royal Maternity Charity (an organisation
which has district midwives working in all parts of London), show that of 2,414 births attended by their
midwives (including cases where a doctor was called in to deliver) 84, or 3 47 per cent., of the infants
were still-born. A comparison of these percentages raises the question whether all the still-births
occurring in the practice of midwives have been notified.
The form in which still-births were notified provided for information as to
(а) Sex of child.
(b) Whether full term or premature (number of months).
(c) Whether child macerated or not.
(d) Presentation.
This form has since been adopted by the Central Midwives Board and is prescribed in the Rules.
The information under (a) showed that 411 still-born children were males, 322 females, in 5 cases
the sex was not stated, while in two cases the sex could not be determined.

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