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- 21 -
CARE OF PURPETURE INFANTS
Ministry of Health circular 20/44 March 1944.
The instructions - from the Ministry of Health issued in the
above ciroular were carried out by this Authority.
.
(l) Procuring Information
(a) A personal letter was sent to each practitioner asking
for notification of all infants whose birth weight,,
was 51/2 pounds or under.
(b) The Birth. Notification forms were altered to include
this information.
(d) Medical Officers of Health of neighbouring areas were
asked to notify of any such cases born in their
districts belonging to this Borough.
(d) 'Similar information was asked for from' Queen' Charlotte's
Hospital who undertake the Domiciliary Midwifery
service in this Borough.
(e) Midwives practising in the Borough were also informed
of this requirement.
(f) A Home Help service was. started.
(g) Health Visitors were instructed to give special
attention to these cases.
(2) Provision of Apparatus
This Authority approved of the purchase of:5
Draught-proof cots with detachable lining.
5 Electric Blankets
5 Maximum and Minimum Cot Thermometers
10 Rubber Hot Water Bottles.
12 Special Feeding Bottles.
6 Glass Mucus Catheters.
Oxygen Tubing.
(3) Arrangements were made for the conveyance (if necessary) of
the infants to Hospital in the Borough Ambulances with a nurse in
attendance and adequate hot water bottles.
The majority of infants of this Borough are born in Institutions,
and those weighing 51/2 pounds and under are notified to us. Similarly
those born in Chiswick Hospital are immediately notified to Medical
Officer of Health of District concerned.