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be satisfied that, as regards Wembley, no expectant, parturient
or nursing mother need be without the generous supply
of milk which is sanctioned by the Ministry of Health,
according to their circumstances, which grants, I know you
are anxious to continue.
I have no authority to ask resident medical practitioners
and midwives to continue to attend their patients with the
same care as they would cases of operation—with special
sterilised overalls, india rubber gloves, wearing masks, and
in fact carrying out all the necessary details of sterilisation
that they know so well, and I feel sure that this has been
and will be done in the future.
One thing will be necessary in the near future—the
better payment of Midwives to enable them to obtain a larger
training course and greater efficiency. To a very great extent
the Midwifery of the country will be in their hands in the
future, with doctors as specialists. The professional status
of the Midwife is said to be far lower in this country than on
the continent.
To sum up this Report I do not anticipate for the whole
country any very marked improvement in the Maternal Mortality
in the near future—three or even four per 1,000 (live)
births cannot be considered excessive under all the circumstances
I have mentioned, especially as certification of death
is so much more exact now, and as fatal miscarriages and
abortions are included.
In conclusion I may be allowed to express the hope that
this question of Maternal Mortality will not be driven too
hard, or it may act as a deterrent to child bearing by the very
class who should have more children—the healthy and
intelligent, whether they be poor, of moderate means, or
rich.
INSTITUTIONAL PROVISION FOR UNMARRIED
MOTHERS.
No special institution exists in the District for the care of
unmarried mothers. When applications occur they are
referred to the Public Assistance Officer, and accommodation
is found in the new Maternity wards of the Redhill Hospital.
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