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45
Gas and Air Analgesia.
In June, 1945 the Medical Officer of Health was asked by the
Welfare Authority to report on the question of the institution of
facilities for the administration of gas and air analgesia by midwives;
and the following is an extract from the report submitted
the following month:—
Prior to 1942 Rule 10 of the Central Midwives Board stated
that—
(a) A midwife must not, except under a grave emergency,
undertake operative procedure or any treatment which is
outside her province.
(b) A midwife must not on her own responsibility use any
drug unless, in the course of her obstetric training, whether
before or after enrolment, she has been thoroughly instructed
in its use and is familiar with its dosage and
methods of administration or application.
On 10th October, 1942 the Central Midwives' Board issued the
following modification of the above rule:—
"In the application of Rules E.10 (a) and (b) the Board
regards the administration by a midwife, acting as such, of
gas and air by Minnitt's or similar apparatus for the purpose of
producing analgesia during labour as treatment within her
province, provided that —
1. She has, either before or after enrolment, received
at an institution approved by the Board for the purpose,
special instruction in the essentials of obstetric analgesia
and has satisfied the institution that she is thoroughly
proficient in the use of the apparatus ;
2. The patient has within one month before her confinement
been examined by a registered medical practitioner
who has handed to the midwife a certificate in
writing that the patient is in a fit condition for gas and air
administration; and
3. One other person being one or other of the following
(a) a state certified midwife, or
(b) a state registered nurse, or