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1ll
Claims for Compensation.
Claims for compensation were received from two midwives following
their suspension from practice in order to prevent the spread of infection.
In one case £4 7s. was paid by the Council, and in the other case
£2 8s. 6d.
Payment of Midwife's Fee in Necessitous Cases.
The Council contributed to, or paid the whole of, the private midwife's
fee in 4 instances.
A total of £6 18s. was paid.
Artificial Feeding.
Thirty-six notifications were received from midwives that it was proposed
to substitute artificial feeding for breast feeding. The reasons given
were as follows:—
Adoption of baby 1
Eczema 1
Deficiency of milk for twins 2
General condition of mother 8
History of previous mastitis; breasts unsatisfactory 1
Lactation insufficiently established 10
Lactation unsatisfactory 1
Multiple pregnancy 1
Pain caused by previous abscesses 1
Persistent sore nipples 5
Pulmonary tuberculosis 1
Refusal of mother to feed baby 1
Transfer of mother to hospital 3
Of the above, thirty-two were received from the Ilford Maternity Home.
Inflammation of, or Discharge from, the Eyes of an Infant.
Medical aid was sought in 46 instances where the infant was found to
have inflamed or discharging eyes. Six of the cases were subsequently
notified as suffering from Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
The Council has adopted the suggestion of the Minister of Health that
they should refrain from exercising their power of recovery of the fee of the
Medical Practitioner under Section 14 (4) of the Midwives Act, 1918, in this
class of case.
Sterile Outfits.
In December, 1930, the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee made
provision for arrangements in this district for supplying midwives with
sterile outfits for their patients. In any case where it is shown that the
person is unable to afford the outfit it is supplied at a reduced cost, or free
of charge.
68 outfits were supplied in 1935—67 at full cost and 1 free of charge.
In addition, all patients attended by the district midwife, who is
employed by the Council, are provided with an outfit, the cost of which is
included in the fee for her services.