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midwives' cases were investigated, and it was found that 320 were completely cured,
in 4 cases injury to the eyes resulted, 1 died, and 1 could not be traced owing to the
removal of the parents. Fifty-one cases became in-patients at St. Margaret's hospital,
compared with 38 during 1930. In addition, two eye cases, which were not notified
as ophthalmia neonatorum, were admitted to this hospital. In one of these cases
the sight of one eye was slightly impaired.
Instruction
of midwives.
As in past years, courses of demonstrations and lectures at convenient centres
were provided for the post graduate instruction of midwives practising in London,
Middlesex, Ealing, Edmonton, Tottenham and Willesden, the cost being shared by
the local supervising authorities in proportion to the numbers of their midwives
attending.
In April, 1930, the Central Midwives Board suggested that lectures to pupil
midwives on the Rules of the Central Midwives Board and the relationship of the
midwife to the various health authorities should be given by the medical officer of
health of the local supervising authority.
The Board approved the arrangements made by the Council for providing, at
suitable intervals, a course of two lectures by two of the Council's medical officers
particularly associated with the supervision of midwives. This course of lectures is
provided four times a year for the instruction of pupils before each examination
of the Central Midwives Board for candidates for admission to the Midwives Roll.
Pupil midwives in training at the Council's hospitals and other institutions in London
are admitted to the courses, the first of which was held in June, 1930, at the London
Day Training College. A certificate of the attendance of a pupil at the course is
signed by the Council's medical officer and furnished to the Central Midwives Board.
Pupils attending during the year 1931 numbered 700.
Pemphigus
neonatorum.
During the year 99 cases of pemphigus neonatorum occurred m the practice ot
midwives, compared with 79 during the previous year.
Maternal
mortality.
The arrangement made at the suggestion of the Ministry of Health whereby
confidential reports are made on maternal deaths by medical officers of the Council
and are exchanged with the metropolitan borough medical officers of health as
described in the annual report for 1929, was continued during the year.
Payment of
medical fees.
The Midwives Act, 1918, imposed upon the Council the duty of paying medical
practitioners' fees when they are called in by midwives in cases of emergency. The
patient is required to reimburse the Council according to her means. The Minister
of Health has laid down a scale of fees to which local authorities must adhere.
The Midwives Act, 1926, fixed a limit of time, namely, two months from the date
of the first visit, within which a medical practitioner must submit his claim. In
pursuance of this provision, 57 claims amounting to £55 2s. were refused during
1931. Claims submitted during the year numbered 4,038, compared with
4,049 in 1930, the total amount involved being £4,521 Is., compared
with £4,601 14s. 6d. in 1930.
Registration
of nursing
homes.
The Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1927, came into operation on 1st July,
1928, and repealed Part II of the Midwives and Maternity Homes Act, 1926, and also
so much of any local acts as provided for the registration of maternity homes. The
Annual Report for 1928 (Vol. Ill, pp. 53-54) indicates fully the powers of the Council
under the Act.
A nursing home is defined as " any premises used or intended to be used for the
reception of, and the providing of nursing for, persons suffering from any sickness,
injury or infirmity and includes a maternity home." The definition of a maternity
home is " any premises used or intended to be used for the reception of pregnant
women or of women immediately after childbirth." Consequently such premises
require registration as a maternity home even though the women go to some other
place for the actual confinement.
The number of nursing homes on the register on 1st January, 1931, was 271.
During the year 1931, 25 homes were added, of which 12 had applied during 1930,
and 38 were removed on cancellation of the registration, leaving 258 on the register
on 31st December, 1931. Cancellation was in one case effected under an Order,