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cases treated at London hospitals showed a slight increase, rising
from 128 in 1937 to 133 in 1938; of these, however, 82 were found
not to be suffering from Venereal Disease.
The local Branch of the British Hygiene Council has continued
its propaganda work, and 11 public meetings of varying
character were held during the year. This work is assisted by a
grant of £50 from the Council.
Maternity and Child Welfare.
A feature of the maternity and child welfare statistics for
the year was the remarkably low maternal mortality rate (0.87
per 1,000 births). This is the lowest rate yet recorded, but too
much emphasis should not be placed upon it, as the number of
births dealt with is relatively small, and deaths from causes
arising from or connected with childbirth fluctuate considerably.
It is, however, a very gratifying result of the year's work.
The Infant mortality also reached a new low record of 40
per 1,000 births; the previous lowest being 41 in 1936. During
the last 7 years this rate has only once risen above 50 per 1,000,
namely, in 1937, when, owing to an undue incidence of
diarrhoea, it rose to 60. The neo-natal mortality, i.e., deaths of
infants within the first month of life, also reached a new low
level (17 per 1,000 live births).
The Municipal Midwifery service has expanded rapidly. At
the beginning of 1938 there were 6 whole-time municipal midwives,
but by the end of the year the number had risen to 10,
and even this increase was insufficient, on the Ministry of
Health's basis of 100 cases per midwife, to cope with the influx
of cases.
A strict supervision has been kept upon Nursing Homes in
the town and on the whole the majority are correctly conducted.
The Committee has not viewed favourably the establishment of
single-bedded homes conducted by midwives who also have a
district practice, and the number of these is diminishing.
The Obstetrical Service has had a busy year, and a full
account of the work done is given in the report. In addition,
a technical report is also published as a separate publication.
This latter report is based on the lines laid down by the College
of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, so that the results can be
accurately compared with those obtained at well-known Maternity
Hospitals throughout the country. It is sufficient to say that the
Croydon service does not suffer by the comparison.