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58
During the year 52 ordinary visits were made. 350 patients referred
from the Ante-Natal and Post-Natal Clinics, and 105 patients referred by
private Doctors, were examined.
X-Ray Examination of Ante-Natal Patients.
28 examinations were made at King George Hospital in 1939.
Post-Natal Clinic.
The following attendances were recorded :—
First attendances 319
Subsequent attendances 455
Number on roll on 31st December, 1939 34
Maternal Mortality.
The total number of deaths due to childbirth during the year was 4
which gives a maternal mortality rate i.e., number of deaths per 1,000 live
births of 1.81 (or 1.75 including stillbirths).
The causes of death were as follows :—
Puerperal Fever :—
Confined at and died in London Hospital, E.l ; Gas
gangrene; obstructed labour 1
Other causes :—
Confined at and died in Council's Maternity Home ;
Shock and haemorrhage due to Caesarian section
and delivery due to large foetus 1
Confined at and died in Council's Maternity Home ;
Acute eclampsia 1
Confined at and died in own home ; Pulmonary embolus ;
femoral thrombosis (puerperal) 1
Cases notified as puerperal pyrexia are investigated by the Sanitary
Inspectors and Health Visitors.
MATERNITY HOME.
During 1939, 536 women were admitted into the Home (77 direct to the
Emergency Block and 459 to the Ward Blocks). In addition two patients
admitted for ante-natal treatment during 1938 were re-admitted for confinement
during 1939.
346 cases could not be admitted during the year owing to the difficulty
in obtaining sufficient nursing staff.
At the end of the year 236 cases had applied for future admission to
the home.
The average number of patients in the home per day during 1939 was
24.5 and the average length of stay of patients 16.5 days.
Emergency Block.
139 cases were treated, 77 being admitted direct to this block and 62
being transferred from the Ward Blocks.
55 of these 77 cases had not been booked for admission to the Maternity
Home.
9 of the 77 patients were admitted direct to the Emergency Block for
ante-natal treatment and were subsequently re-admitted to the Ward Blocks
for confinement.