View report page

24
The Kingston Nursing Association continue to support
the Clinic by sending their cases, and the midwives in private
practice appear less reluctant to advise their patients to
attend.
NOTIFICATION OF BIRTHS.
There are now very few unnotified births.
A letter, embodying an extract of the Act, asking for
an explanation of failure to notify the birth is sent to the
father of the child in every instance of an unnotified birth.
THE UNMARRIED MOTHER.
The care of unmarried mothers and their illegitimate
children is undertaken by the Kingston, Surbiton and District
Voluntary Society, which is affiliated to the Southwark
Diocesan Association for Rescue and Preventive Work.
The Local Branch Shelter is at No. 18, Richmond Park
Road. Unmarried expectant mothers are admitted to the
home about two or three months before full term, or later
if desired.
If possible they contribute towards their own support,
and assist by doing domestic work while in the home.
They are transferred for confinement to the Kingston
and District Hospital or other Maternity Home, returning
after the puerperium with the infant to the "Shelter" for a
further period of residence until the infant is three months
old.
The infant is then placed with a foster mother, and the
parent is found a suitable situation in domestic service.
PUERPERAL PYREXIA.
During the year 14 cases were notified as Puerperal
Pyrexia under the Public Health (Notification of Puerperal
Fever and Puerperal Pyrexia) Regulations, 1926.
Immediate investigation was made into the circumstances
of each case, and a copy of the notification sent to
the County Medical Officer of Health.
Of the 14 cases notified as Puerperal Pyrexia, 11 were
either admitted to or already in-patients at the Kingston and
District Hospital, and one died.