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57
Institutional provision for maternity cases under the Council's
Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme was continued unchanged
during 1937.
Of the 365 total births assignable to the district 218 occurred
in institutions (hospitals or maternity homes situated either within
or without the Borough), a proportion of 60 per cent. These institutional
confinements occurred as follows:—
In institutions within the Borough 78
In registered maternity homes 78
In institutions outside the Borough . 140
In general hospitals 16
In maternity hospitals 69
In Public Health County hospitals 13
In Public Assistance institutions 23
In maternity homes 19
Total 218
Puerperal Fever and Puerperal Pyrexia.
Only one case of puerperal pyrexia was notified during 1937
under the Puerperal Fever and Puerperal Pyrexia Regulations, 1926.
The patient was an in-patient at the Richmond Institution where she
had been admitted for her confinement. The pyrexia was not due
to puerperal sepsis, the cause being mastitis. The patient recovered.
Investigations into cases of puerperal fever and puerperal pyrexia
are routinely made by the Medical Officer of Health and by the Health
Visitors.
The Surrey County Council being the Local Supervising Authority
under the Midwives Act particulars of the notification in each case
notified as puerperal fever or puerperal pyrexia are communicated
by me forthwith to the County Medical Officer.
The same preventive and remedial measures detailed in previous
Reports have been continued during the year.
NOTIFICATION OF BIRTHS.
There were 286 births registered in the district during the year,
278 being live births and 8 still-births. Of the total 286 births
registered, 280 or 98 per cent., had been duly notified in accordance
with the provisions of the above-mentioned Act. In every instance
in which there was a failure to notify a birth the person, or persons,
responsible have been communicated with and reminded of their
obligations under the Act.