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66
All the midwives' cases were investigated, and it was found that 136 were
completely cured ; three children were found to be still under treatment at the end
of the year ; two children had removed from London and the condition of the eyes
after completion of treatment has not been ascertained ; in one child the right eye
was found to be blind and the left eye impaired ; two children died from causes
other than ophthalmia. Twenty-nine cases became in-patients at St. Margaret's
hospital, compared with 35 during 1936.
Pemphigus
neonatorum
During the year 44 cases of pemphigus neonatorum occurred in the practice of
midwives, compared with 53 during the previous year.
Instruction
of midwives
As in past years, courses of demonstrations and lectures at convenient centres
were provided for the post-certificate instruction of midwives practising in London,
Middlesex, Ealing, Hendon, Isleworth, Tottenham and Willesden, the cost being
shared by the local supervising authorities in proportion to the numbers of their
midwives attending.
Two lectures are given four times a year by medical officers of the Council for
the instruction of pupil midwives in public health matters and the rules of the Board
before each examination of the Central Midwives Board. Pupils attending during
the year numbered 768, compared with 751 in 1936.
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
fees to medical practitioners called in by midwives in cases of emergency and the
Minister of Health has laid down a scale of fees to which local authorities must
adhere. The patient is required to reimburse the Council according to her means,
but, in cases of inflammation of the eyes, as already mentioned, the Council has
decided to forego any claim to a fee.*
Claims for fees accepted during the year numbered 2,641, compared with 2,854
in 1936, the total amount involved being £3,342, compared with £3,386 in
1936. 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, 28 claims amounting to £28 8s. Od. were
refused during 1937.
Registration
of nursing
homes
The provisions with regard to the registration of nursing homes in London are
contained in Part XI of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, which repealed,
inter alia, the Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1927, so far as London is concerned.
The Annual Report for 1928 (Vol. Ill, pp. 53-54) indicates fully the powers of the
Council under the latter Act.
The number of nursing homes on the register on 1st January, 1937, was 186.
During the year 1937, 11 homes were added, of which 6 had applied during 1936,
while 27 were removed on cancellation of the registration, leaving 170 on the register
on 31st December, 1937. In 26 cases cancellations were made at the request of the
persons registered and/or upon change of ownership. The remaining cancellation
was made on account of the death of the person registered.
During the year proceedings were instituted against one person for conducting
premises as a nursing home without being duly registered in respect thereof—
lefendant fined £5 and ordered to pay 2 guineas costs.
There were 12 applications for registration during the year, of which, at the end
of the year, 3 had been withdrawn, 1 refused, and 4 granted, 4 being still under
consideration.
* The appropriate Committee decided that, as from 1st January, 1938, no further action should
be taken under the Council's resolution of 26th April, 1921, which provided for arrangements to bo made
for the recovery of fees paid to medical practitioners called in by midwives in emergency.