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54
(d) Feeding of Expectant Mothers.
In a considerable number of cases fresh or dried milk needed
on medical grounds during the last three months of pregnancy was
provided, at or below cost price, or free, according to the circumstances
of the family; while the Croydon Mothers and Infants'
Welfare Association in a number of cases provided mid-day meals
for necessitous expectant mothers, on the recommendation of the
medical officers.
(e) Maternity Outfits.
Realising the unsatisfactory conditions under which confinements
must often be conducted in the poorer homes, the Committee
decided to provide on request, at wholesale cost price, suitable
maternity outfits containing the essentials for a confinement.
These became available to medical practitioners and midwives for
their patients early in 1925; there has not, however, up to the
present been any great demand for these outfits.
(f) Registration and Inspection of Maternity Homes.
Under the Croydon Corporation Act, 1924, registration of
maternity homes became compulsory as from January 1st, 1925.
34 maternity homes were registered and kept under supervision
during the year. These maternity homes gave a total accommodation
of 128 beds, distributed as follows:—
Maternity homes registered for:
1 bed —7 5 beds—4 9 beds—1
2 beds—9 6 beds—1 11 beds—1
3 beds—2 7 beds—4 12 beds—1
4 beds—4
Out of the 34 homes, 25 had certified midwives on their staffs, j
3.—AT BIRTH.
(a) The Work of Midwives.
During the year, 59 midwives notified their intention to prac
tise within the Borough—an increase of 1 over the number for the
previous year. 50 of these held the certificate of the Centra
Midwives Board, 4 of the London Obstetrical Society, while 5 wer<
in " bona fide " practice in 1901.
No midwives in the Borough are subsidised by the loca
authority.
During the year midwives notified a total of 1,791 live birth
and 48 still births. Of the total births notified during the year
56.4 per cent. were notified by midwives.