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134
Medical Mission of the Good Shepherd, Harman Street, Hoxton.
Amount payable in respect of discontinued Ministry grant, £176 4s. 8d.
At the end of the financial year 1931-32 this amount was increased by the
Borough Council.
At this Institution there are ten cots for the treatment of babies and young
children suffering from acute medical conditions. Cases are frequently
accepted for admission on the recommendation of the Maternity and Child
Welfare Department.
These wards are under the care of Dr. W. E. A. Worley, who visits daily,
and is available at any time in case of emergency.
During the year 64 children were admitted. The particulars of the
conditions from which they were suffering are as follows:—
Pneumonia 6 Diarrhoea and Vomiting 7
Broncho Pneumonia 4 Glands of Neck 1
Bronchitis 15 Post Tonsillectomy 1
Pyelitis and Asthma 1 Nævus of Buttock 1
Vomiting 1 Prematurity 1
Diarrhœa 3 Congenital Heart 4
General Debility 3 Heart Murmur 1
Wasting 14 Colic 1
There were six deaths.
At the Institution there are also two midwives who take the cases in the
surrounding district, but this part of the work does not rank for grant, and
accordingly does not come under the supervision of the Maternity and Child
Welfare Committee.
The Nursing staff is as follows: Matron (Miss D. Edenborough), Sister,
Night Nurse, and two Nurses (partially trained).
Report by Dr. Evelyn McGregor, Assistant Medical Officer of Health.
The slight increase in the Infantile Mortality rate in the year 1932 calls
for comment as the success of a Maternity and Child Welfare scheme is apt
to be judged by this rate.
Approximately one-third of the deaths occurred in children during the
first four weeks of life of these deaths.
32 died during the 1st week.
5 died during the 2nd week.
2 died during the 3rd week.
6 died during the 4th week.
Twenty-three deaths were due to the babies being born prematurely, and
five to difficult confinements. Eight were due to some congenital abnormality.
The neo-natal death rate is always high, but it could be
reduced considerably if all expectant mothers took advantage of the various
schemes for their care—in this way many difficult and many premature births
would be prevented.