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sentions, the infant being stillborn, but not macerated. Halfan-hour
after delivery Mrs. C. sent for Dr. B., who notified
the stillbirth in the usual way. I informed the Coroner that
the stillbirth was notified irregularly : owing to the irregular
circumstances of this case, the Coroner ordered the body to
be exhumed. A post-mortem and inquest followed, when it
was found that the infant had been stillborn. It is, however,
open to doubt whether the child might not have been born
alive had the mother received skilled attention during labour.
Case 2.
Almost exactly similiar circumstances to the above—the
general practitioner arriving some hours after the child was
born (reported stillbirth) . The same doctor as in Case 1 was
involved, but a different handy-woman.
Case 3.
It has recently been brought to my notice that Mrs. G., an
unqualified woman, has conducted confinements in this
Borough. On enquiry being made, Mrs. G. stated that she
"works with several doctors, and undertakes the actual
delivery in cases if asked to do so by the doctors engaged."
Seeing the great importance of the matter, and the possible
grave issues, I am inclined to think that it should be made illegal
for any unqualified woman to accept any payment or recompense
for attending upon a woman during labour, whether under the
direction of a general practitioner or not.
Whatever excuse there may be for a practitioner working with
such women in certain districts where qualified help is difficult to
obtain, I can see no reason for this procedure in districts where
there is an abundance of qualified women available to act as
maternity nurses.
The increase in Maternity and Child Welfare Work in the
Borough has been very marked within the last two years. In
Appendix III. is a copy of a report which was presented to the
Maternity and Child Welfare Committee in October, 1928, and in
which details of the extensions of the scheme are set out.
APPENDIX III.
Report on Maternity and Child Welfare Services.
That the Chairman read the following report of the Medical
Officer of Health on the extension of the Maternity and Child
Welfare services in the Borough during the past two years :—
During the past two years the Maternity and Child Welfare
Scheme of the Council has been extended to a remarkable degree.
In addition to many minor developments, the following extensions
of the scheme have been put into operation :—
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