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190
No. of cases in which medical assistance was
sought bv the midwife in emergency ... 100 (including 83 for
suturing perineum).
No. of cases notified as Puerperal Fever or Puerperal
Pyrexia 4
No. of cases notified as Pemphigus neonatorum 0
,, ,, ,, Ophthalmia neonatorum—
No. of infants not entirely breast fed 31
No. of maternal deaths 0
No. of infant deaths (a) Still-born 12
(b) Within 10 days of birth 8
Prematurity, 5.
Atelectasis, 2.
Convulsions and
Meningitis, 1.
The Retreat, Ross Road.
This is a home for unmarried mothers and their babies conducted
by the National Free Church Women's Council, and aided
by an annual grant of £650 from the Croydon Council. Although
not bulking largely as a Maternity Hospital, the work done is an
important branch of maternal care. Besides the matron and nursing
staff, an honorary lady medical officer attends the home when
necessary.
i
The following figures give the main details regarding the
work carried out in 1933, and I am indebted to Dr. Sutherland,
the Hon. Medical Officer of the Home, for them:—
No. of beds for patients 19
No. of cases admitted 28
Average duration of stay 4/5 months
No of cases delivered by (a) Midwives 20
(b) Doctor 1
No. of cases in which medical assistance was sought by a
midwife 8
No. of cases notified as (a) Puerperal Fever, (b) Puerperal
Pyrexia Nil
No. of infants not entirely breast fed while in the institution 5
No. of cases notified of Ophthalmia Neonatorum Nil
No. of cases notified as Pemphigus Neonatorum Nil
No. of maternal deaths Nil
No. of infant deaths (a) Still-born Nil
(b)within 10 days of birth 2
(due to convulsions and congenital malformation and prematurity)
As is seen the duration of stay much exceeds that in ordinary
maternity homes. The girls are kept, with their babies, until
suitable situations can be secured for them, and when necessary
foster-mothers are found for the babies. Whilst the girls are in
the Home they are employed in domestic work. Some of them
go out to daily work, but reside in the Home.