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55
The Council contributed the sum of £1 10s. Od. towards the cost of the
maintenance of the child.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
Three cases were admitted to St. Margaret's Hospital (L.C.C.) during the
year. The present charge for maintenance and treatment is £7 0s. 8d. per
week. Owing to the war, the cases are now being accommodated at White
Oak Hospital, Swanley, Kent.
Treatment of Minor Ailments.
Children suffering from simple dietetic ailments are treated at the Infant
Welfare Centres. 76 belts and 3 trusses have been supplied to infants
suffering from hernia during the year 1939. A certain number of infants were
brought to the Clinics at the Public Health Offices and Mayesbrook Clinic
to deceive treatment for minor ailments.
33 children under five years of age were operated upon at Queen Mary's
Hospital, Stratford, and at King George Hospital, Ilford, for removal of
tonsils and adenoids. 7 were treated free of charge as cases of necessity.
Midwives.
There are 15 state certified midwives (including the Superintendent and
nine Council midwives) resident and practising in the district, and 2 certified
midwives resident outside Ilford, but practising in Ilford. In addition there
were at the end of the year, 12 state certified midwives at the Council's
Maternity Home and 2 at a private nursing home in Ilford.
Their supervision has been carried out as in previous years.
Payment of Midwive's Fee in Necessitous Cases.
The Council paid the whole of the private midwife's fee in three cases,
amounting to £6 1s. Od.
Suspension from Practise.
Three midwives were suspended from practise for varying periods following
attendance on cases, rendering them liable to be a source of infection. All
were in the employ of the Council.
The reasons for suspension from practise were as follows :—
(1) Attended notified case of Puerperal Pyrexia, stated to be due to
Sapraemia.
(2) Attended notified case of Puerperal Pyrexia, stated to be due
to Septicaemia.
(3) Attended notified case of Pemphigus Neonatorum.
As mentioned in my Report for 1938 a private Midwife was suspended
from practise in December of that year following her attendance on a notified
case of Pemphigus Neonatorum, and subsequently a notified case of Puerperal
Pyrexia.
The sum of £50 8s. 6d. was paid to her by the Council as compensation
for loss of practise. The Midwife subsequently voluntarily surrendered her
Certificate under Section 5 (1) of the Midwives Act 1936.
Compensation.
A patient who had attended the Council's Ante-Natal Clinic at the request
of a private Midwife was admitted to the Maternity Home for confinement on
the advice of the Doctor.
Payment of 10/6 was made to the Midwife.