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normal, but any abnormality was post-natal. Of these, eight
patients suffered from post-partum haemorrhage, some being
due to retention of the placenta. Three suffered from puerperal
pyrexia, one case being due to phlebitis and one to pyelitis. At
two confinements at which twins were born, one of the infants
was stillborn, and in the case of one of the others, the infant
survived only 13 hours after delivery. Three other infants died
soon after an apparently normal confinement, one being
anencephalic.
There were 16 cases in which some departure from the normal
occurred during the confinement. Forceps were applied in 13
cases, in some instances for reasons such as a delayed second stage,
and, in two, on account of occipito-posterior presentation. Uterine
inertia, long labour and difficult labour followed by post-partum
haemorrhage were the abnormalities of the other three cases.
One patient had an ante-partum hæmorrhage but was delivered
of a living child, while one patient went into labour at the seventh
month, her infant surviving.
Compensation to Midwives.
The Council in January agreed to pay the sum of 10s. to a
midwife whose case was lost to her by reason of the Medical Officer
exercising ante-natal care of the patient referring her on medical
grounds to hospital for her confinement.
The conditions attached to the payment of this sum are:—
1. That in each case the patient is required to confirm the
statement that she has engaged the midwife to attend
her confinement and had been referred by the midwife
to the doctor or clinic;
2. That the Medical Officer of the Clinic or ante-natal doctor
certifies that he or she advised the patient to be confined
in a hospital or home;
3. That no payment will be made to the midwife where the
patient has herself applied to be confined in a hospital or
home.
Consultant Ante-natal Clinic.
Since July a monthly consultant ante-natal clinic has been
held at the Broadway Clinic on the morning of the second Tuesday
of each month. Patients are mostly referred from the local antenatal
clinics but a number have been referred direct by the general
medical practitioners in the area. Post-natal cases are also seen
at these clinics. At the six sessions 31 women, of whom nine were
referred by their own medical attendants, made 35 attendances.
General Practitioners' Ante-natal Scheme.
In January the Council approved of arrangements being made
by which the Council would be responsible for the fees for antenatal
examinations of uninsured women carried out by the patients'