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36
(2) NOTIFICATION OF BIRTHS.
There were 312 births registered in the district during the year,
307 being live births and 5 still-births. Of the total 312 births
registered, 308 had been duly notified in accordance with the provisions
of the above-mentioned Act.
During the year notifications were received in respect of 307
births which occurred in the Borough, and of these 24 were notified
by medical practitioners, and 283 by midwives.
Still-Births.
There were 5 still-births notified during 1939, representing 1.6
per cent. of the total births occurring in the area in the year. An
enquiry was made into all cases.
(3) HOME-VISITING.
Three whole-time Health Visitors, who are specially qualified
for the purpose, undertake the home-visiting in connection with
maternity and child welfare work.
A summary of the work performed by them during the year is
given below:—
Visits to expectant mothers 375
First visits to newly-born infants 364
Revisits to infants under 1 year 1,419
Visits to children aged 1 to 5 years 2,147
Visits in connection with Council's scheme for the
supply of milk 661
Still-birth inquiries 6
Special visits to cases of measles 32
„ „ „ „ „ whooping cough 129
„ „ „ „ „ pneumonia 21
Visits to foster children 181
Visits in connection with infectious diseases other
than those above specified 730
Total visits 6,065
On the outbreak of war the number of routine home-visits
necessarily had to be curtailed to some extent owing to the need
of utilising the services of the health visitors in assisting in the
organisation and administration of the casualty services, in which
connection they did valuable work.
Additional work also arose connected with evacuation of
children and expectant mothers and other matters associated with war
conditions.
In spite of this, the essential maternity and child welfare services
were efficiently maintained.