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57
confinement. Mother and baby usually return to the Hostel unless
arrangements have been made for the baby to be adopted or placed
with a suitable foster mother."
The closest co-operation exists between Miss Williams and your
Council's Health Visitors.
CARE OF PREMATURE INFANTS.
The action suggested in Circular 20/44 has been carried out as
far as possible and the steps taken were detailed in the report for
1944. During 1945, 13 premature babies were born at home and
88 in Hospital.
Of the 13 premature babies born at home, 10 were entirely
nursed at home, 4 died during the first 24 hours (i.e., 31%) and
7 survived at the end of one month (i.e., 54 %).
Of the 88 premature babies born in Hospital, 6 died during the
first 24 hours (i.e., 7%) and 64 survived at the end of one month
(i.e., 73%).
A course of lectures on premature infants was arranged at the
Maternity Hospital for midwives. Details are given on a later
page.
The table of "Causes of Death" which follows includes 8 deaths
from premature birth as compared with 13 in 1944.