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Authority and undertook the duties in connection therewith.
During 1937 there were 22 midwives practising in Enfield, of
whom 7 lived outside the district but practised therein.
The midwives living in Enfield were visited regularly by the
Medical Officers of the Council and their records and equipment
inspected. They were regularly advised on such points in connection
with their practice as appeared desirable.
According to a resolution of the Council I was appointed,
together with Doctors Thomson and Hyde, as Supervising Officers.
The duties of a Supervising Officer are not entirely those of an
inspector who is looking for trouble or searching to see if the midwives
in his area are committing a dereliction of duty. He is rather an
advisor and counsellor of the midwife; a friend with whom she can
discuss her problems and from whom she can receive counsel and
information as to the most modern ideas in midwifery. The object
is to maintain and improve the standard of midwifery of each individual
midwife and to prevent trouble rather than look for it.
I am satisfied that your Medical Officers are so regarded by the
midwives practising in Enfield, for it is a routine for them to seek our
advice and help in any difficulty.
In November 1937 the Council appointed five Municipal Midwives
and commenced to put into operation a midwifery scheme for
the district.
The midwives act not only on their own as midwives, but also
together with Doctors, in the capacity of a maternity nurse.
The following table shews the work carried out by the midwives
of Enfield during 1937.

The number of cases in which Medical Aid was summoned from
the 1st April, 1937 by a Midwife engaged in domiciliary cases was
117.