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The three notifications in respect of the laying-out of a dead
body were received from midwives engaged in nursing homes and
in each case the midwife had been acting in the capacity of a
maternity nurse.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.—Among the 28 notifications of
sending for medical assistance on account of the health of the
child were included seven on account of inflammation of, or discharge
from, the eyes. In four of these the medical practitioner
called in by the midwife notified the case as being one of ophthalmia
neonatorum.
Visits to Midwives.—The number of visits made by the Assistant
Medical Officer, who acts as Inspector of Midwives, to midwives
outside the Maternity Hospital was as follows:—
Routine Visits of Inspection 44
Special Visits of Enquiry 9
The routine visits of inspection have shown that with few
exceptions the midwives practising in the Borough maintain a
very satisfactory standard. The visits of enquiry in connection
with special cases were as follows:-
Ophthalmia Neonatorum 4
Puerperal Pyrexia 2
Puerperal Fever 1
Other Visits 2
In one case it was found that a midwife had failed to call in
medical aid to an infant suffering from a slight discharge from the
eyes. The attention of this midwife was drawn to the necessity
of calling in medical aid to any infant suffering from inflammation
of, or discharge from, the eyes, however slight, and she was
cautioned as to her conduct in the future.
Payment of Fees.—The Town Council are responsible for the
payment of the fees of medical practitioners when called in by
midwives and during the year under review fees amounting to
£105 15s. 6d. were paid in respect of 87 claims sent in by medical
practitioners. The Council has power to recover from the patient,