London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Carshalton 1939
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Carshalton]
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The full scale fees fixed by the County Council for the services of
the midwives are as follows:—
As Maternity Nurse 35s.
As Midwife 40s.
Provision is made for a reduced fee in necessitous cases. The work
of the Council's midwives during the year is indicated by the
following details:—
Cases conducted:—
| Primip. | Multip. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (1) As Midwife—Live births | 10 | 129 | 139 |
| Still births | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| (2) As Maternity Nurse—Live births | 7 | 10 | 17 |
| Still births | — | — | — |
| 19 | 142 | 161 | |
| Visits made— | |||
| Ante-natal | 825 | ||
| During confinement | 2781 | ||
| Medical Aid Forms sent by Midwives | 34 | ||
| Rise of Temperature | 3 | ||
| Still birth | 1 | ||
| Malpresentation | 5 | ||
| Persistent Vomiting | 1 | ||
| Prematurity | 1 | ||
| Hydramnios | 1 | ||
| Swelling of Hand and Legs | 1 | ||
| Baby's Eyes | 2 | ||
| Haemorrhage | 3 | ||
| Adherent Placenta | 1 | ||
| Ruptured Perineum | 9 | ||
| Delayed Second Stage | 3 | ||
| Phlebitis | 2 | ||
| Haematuria | 1 | ||
| Number of cases which attended ante-natal clinics | 78 | ||
In addition to the Midwives appointed by the Council, there are
11 others resident in the district. Of these, 4 are on the staff of the
Nursing Association, 3 are County Midwives, and one is a member of
the local hospital staff.
In the 1st July the Order made by the Minister of Health came
into force prohibiting unqualified persons attending upon women in
child-birth for reward.
Voluntary Helpers.
The official staff has, since the inception of the scheme, had the
valuable assistance of a number of voluntary workers. Their regular
and untiring efforts at the Welfare Centres play a large part in the
successful operation of the Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme.
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