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there were 11 in Southall, are considered to be preventable, and every effort is made in the
Public Health Service to eliminate prematurity as a cause of death. Persistent propaganda
and ante-natal care has reduced deaths from prematurity, respiratory diseases and gastroenteritis,
to a very low figure, compared to that of 20 years ago, but the fact that there are
still a higher proportion of infants dying from these causes than from congenital defects
means that the work of treatment and teaching of expectant and nursing mothers must
continue and increase.
Premature Infants.
Seventy infants were born prematurely during the year, of whom 53 survived at the
end of one month.
For cases born prematurely equipment is available to be supplied to the homes,
consisting of draught-proof cots, electric blankets, hot-water bottles, catheters, thermometers,
etc. Arrangements have been made to obtain supplies of breast milk at short notice from
the Queen Charlotte Hospital in cases where there is not sufficient mother's milk. Premature
infants born in hospital are given every care in the way of warmth, special feeding, and
protection from infection.
Maternal Morbidity and Mortality.
During the year 18 cases of puerperal pyrexia were notified, there was 1 maternal death
but no deaths associated with abortion. Sixteen of the cases occurred in institutions. It
will, therefore, be noted here that only two of these cases occurred in the midwives' districts.
GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES IN THE BOROUGH
Nursing in the Home.
General Nursing:
The local District Nursing Association provided three nurses in the district for the
home nursing of cases of ordinary sickness and accidents.
During 1947 the total number of visits made by the nurses was 9,790. A certain
number of these patients were referred to the Nursing Association from the Maternity and
Child Welfare Clinics.
The Council made a monetary grant towards the service generally, and a specific
grant per visit to toddlers treated under the Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme.
Clinics and Treatment Centres.
The services provided in the district are shown in Appendix, Table I.
A report on the work in the Diphtheria Prevention Clinic is given on page 17.
The Council afforded facilities to all medical men practising in the district for the
examination of pathological specimens. This work was carried out by the Ministry of
Health Emergency Laboratory.