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67 infants were transferred to hospital within a few hours of birth, 11 were transferred
later owing to an unsatisfactory condition developing, and the remaining 371 were
nursed at home.
Of the 449 infants 416 made good progress and were alive and well when discharged
by the midwife or from hospital and 329 (79 per cent.) of these were completely breastfed.
18 infants showed some congenital abnormality, for example, talipes, hypospadias,
spina bifida, congenital heart.
There were 33 deaths, i.e., 8 per cent. of the total. Four of these occurred at home very
shortly after birth : two were non-viable infants of less than 2 lbs. and less than 30 weeks
gestation; one was a 4½ lb. baby with multiple deformities, and one (2f lbs.) an unbooked
emergency. The remaining 29 deaths were in hospital : six were feeble infants under
3 lbs.; 11 were feeble infants between 3 and 5½ lbs., either very premature by date or
showing marked clinical signs of prematurity ; six had congenital abnormalities ; one died
from cerebral haemorrhage, and five died from pneumonia having been transferred to
hospital later in the neo-natal period.
Maternity and child welfare services provided by hospitals
Details of the arrangements whereby the medical schools of four teaching hospitals,
acting as voluntary organisations grant-aided by the Council, provided child welfare
centres on its behalf are given on page 39.
Drugs, medicaments, welfare foods, etc.
Cod liver oil compound, tablets of vitamins A and D, national dried milk and concentrated
orange juice are distributed under the Government's welfare foods scheme. In
addition a number of proprietary brands of dried milk and of nutrients, including cod
liver oil and malt, cereals, glucose D and vegetable and iron products, are made available
when approved by the clinic medical officer, at fixed charges, subject to abatement where
necessary. Simple drugs according to an approved list are provided free of charge when
recommended by the clinic medical officer. The list of items is reviewed by a departmental
committee from time to time to keep abreast of modern medical development.
Non-proprietary items are supplied wherever possible.
Sunday cinema grants
The Council continued to receive contributions from the Sunday cinema entertainments,
out of which an allocation was made to each of the nine health divisions for the purpose
of providing amenities for mothers and children attending the welfare centres and day
nurseries. The amenity funds are administered by small voluntary committees.