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51
ante-natal supervision with care and accuracy, conditions may be
present or develop which can only be discovered by medical examination.
The detection and treatment of these conditions would
minimise many dangers and prevent unavoidable difficulties at the
confinement, thus safeguarding both mother and child.
Expectant mothers are visited by the Health Visitors in their
homes and given advice regarding arrangements for confinement
and general hygiene of the mother.
The following-up of cases also ensures regular attendance at
the Clinic.
During 1938, 686 visits were paid to expectant mothers.
Maternity Accommodation
Under the provisions of the Maternity and Child Welfare Act
1918 (Public Health Act, 1936), empowering Local Authorities to
make arrangements for the institutional treatment of complicated
midwifery cases, and for women whose homes are unsuitable for
their confinements, the East Ham County Borough Council have
provisional arrangements for the accommodation of necessitous
cases requiring inpatient treatment at Forest Gate Hospital, the
Maternity District Nurses' Home, Plaistow, and Queen Mary's
Hospital, Stratford.
During 1938, 229 cases were admitted to Forest Gate
Hospital.
Inspection of Midwives
Fifty-three midwives notified the Local Supervising
Authority of their intention to practise within the Borough during
1938—45 were on the register on 31.12.38, including staff at
Burges Road.
Forty-seven visits of inspection were made by the inspecting
Medical Officer during the year. Their work, including records,
was satisfactory.
Visits have been paid as required to one registered Nursing
Home in the district.
Under the rules issued by the Central Midwives' Board, a
midwife must notify the Local Supervising Authority within 36