London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
London County Council 1962
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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Table (v)—
| 1958 | 1959 | I960 | 1961 | 1962 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | 482 | 555 | 517 | 525 | 474 |
| Per cent. of live births | 4.6 | 5.1 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.0 |
Particulars of domiciliary premature live births are set out below. The difference between
the total (528) shown in this table and the number (474) quoted above represents the
number of cases attended by doctors and midwives independently of the Council's domiciliary
midwifery service.
Table (vi)—
| Weight | Number | Proportion per 100 live premature infants | Deaths in 24 hours | Survivors at 28 days | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Per 100 live premature infants | Number | Per 100 live premature infants | |||
| 3 lb. 4 oz. of less | 38 | 7.2 | 13 | 34.2 | 20 | 52.6 |
| 3 lb. 5 oz. to 4 lb. 6 oz. | 66 | 12.5 | 4 | 61 | 60 | 90.9 |
| 4 lb. 7 oz. to 4 lb. 15 oz. | 75 | 14.2 | 3 | 40 | 71 | 94.7 |
| 5 lb. to 5 lb. 8 oz. | 349 | 66.1 | 5 | 1.4 | 340 | 97.4 |
| All cases | 528 | 100 | 25 | 4.7 | 491 | 93.0 |
These figures, especially those relating to infants surviving at 28 days, compare favourably
with those for all live premature infants born in the administrative county during 1962
(see table (xii), page 13).
Midwives Act, 1951
Notifications received of intention to practise as a midwife:
1958 1959 1960 1961 1962
1,160 1,285 1,404 1,447 1,502
In accordance with section G of Rules of the Central Midwives Board, 124 midwives
in the county attended a refresher course during the year.
Fees to medical practitioners called in by midwives in emergency:
1958 1959 1960 1961 1962
Number of claims 2,626 2,653 2,350 1,291 711
The decline in medical aid claims by general practitioners is a direct result of the
encouragement given to every woman having home confinement to book a doctor as well
as a midwife.
57