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47
Of the 37 summonses to a patient during pregnancy 15 were
because of albuminuria, oedema, or toxaemia, and 12 because of
haemorrhage.
Of the 67 summonses to a patient during labour the reason
given in 37 instances was delayed labour with cause unspecified.
In a further 13 there was some abnormal presentation, and 2 were
on account of foetal distress. Eight summonses were to patients
suffering from abortion (actual or threatened).
77 of the 90 summonses to patients in the puerperium were on
account of rupture of the perineum. Post-partum haemorrhage,
with or without adherence of the placenta, was the reason in four,
and a raised temperature in five cases.
Of the 33 summonses to infants 8 were on account of some
discharge from the eye, 14 because of feebleness or asphyxia and
some other abnormal state or condition in 11.
MIDWIVES ACT, 1936.
The number of patients attended by the Council midwives
was 701 as midwives and 221 as maternity nurses, while, in addition,
they attended 16 abortions. Although the number of patients
actually attended is less than the figure of 1,010 attended in the
previous year, the number of bookings, a figure of 1,195, was an
increase of 118 on the number booked in the previous year. In
anticipation of the extra work, authority was given for the appointment
of an additional midwife.
The suggestion as to the training of pupil midwives in connection
with the Council's Midwifery Service was approved in
principle by the Committee at their meeting in April.
By the provisions of the Midwives Act, all midwives are obliged
to undergo periodical refresher courses. Two of the Council's
midwives were to have attended the course towards the end of the
year, but all these arrangements were abandoned on the outbreak
of hostilities.
By the provisions of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act,
1939, any local supervising authority, if it appeared to that authority
to be necessary in order to secure that the number of women who
are available in its area for attendance on women in childbirth is
adequate for the needs of the area, to make an Order exempting
from the provisions of the Midwives Acts, 1902-1936, for such
period, and subject to specified conditions, any such women who
have surrendered their certificates under Section 5 (1) of the
Midwives Act, 1936. It was not found necessary, to meet the
needs of this district, to take any such action.
Of the 709 patients attended by the midwives acting as midwives
159 were charged the full amount; in 107 cases no charge
was made; while 443 were assisted.
The corresponding figures in regard to the 323 patients attended
by the midwives acting as maternity nurses were 239; 6; and 78.