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55
In 191 instances the midwives summoned medical help for a
variety of conditions affecting mother or child, while 29 other
notifications in connection with still births, artificial feeding, etc.,
were received from midwives.
Dr. Olive Falk was appointed Inspector of Midwives during
the year, in succession to Miss Chapman, who was unable to continue
the work owing to ill-health.
The Inspector of Midwives paid 100 visits of inspection during
the year, in addition to special visits for enquiry into cases of
sepsis, ophthalmia neonatorum, etc.
During October and November a course of six lectures to
midwives was arranged by the Public Health Committee. The
lectures were given by Dr. J. A. Willett, of the City of London
Maternity Hospital.
The subjects covered were : Ante-natal supervision ; prolonged
labour; ante-partum hemorrhage; asphyxia neonatorum; antiseptics;
and puerperal fever. The lectures were well attended, and
were greatly appreciated by the midwives of the Borough.
(b) Maternity Home—St. Mary's Hostel.
17 beds are provided at St. Mary's Hostel by the Croydon
Mothers' and Infants' Welfare Association. Of these, 15 are
retained by the Corporation, priority being given to abnormal and
to necessitous cases. A subsidy of £1,800 per annum is paid
towards the charges of the institution by the Corporation.
306 confinements were conducted at St. Mary's Hostel during
the year. Of these, 290 were booked before admission as
normal " cases, priority being given to those in necessitous
circumstances or with bad home conditions; 6 were booked before
admission as difficult or abnormal cases; while 10 were admitted
as emergency cases without previous booking; 25 booked as normal
cases had by the time of admission become difficult or abnormal
cases.
(c) Puerperal Sepsis, etc.
8 cases of puerperal sepsis were notified, compared with 9 in
1924. Six of the eight cases proved fatal. Two were attended by
midwives.