View report page

45.
details beyond the fact that as a beginning it was
arranged that women suffering from any pathological
symptoms should have preference in view of the yet
limited time at our disposal.
Dr. Butler arranged to do this work at the Toddlers'
Clinic, and I hope that this side of the work may develop
as the mothers realise increasingly the desirability of
such routine examinations after childbirth.
Maternal Mortality
Closely associated with the question of Ante-Natal
care is the question of Maternal Mortality. It is the
considered view of most authorities on this subject,
that the absence of such care on a wide scale is one of
the chief predisposing causes of the still very serious
death rate in connection with childbirth, and there is
a growing public opinion in favour of developing this
side of public health work, as a means of reducing the
number of maternal deaths at, or soon after, confinement.
The investigations called for by a special memorandum
of the Ministry of Health in October, 1928,
requiring careful enquiry into the causes of death in all
cases in which women may have died during pregnancy,
at childbirth, or in the puerperium, are conducted by
myself, as they are intimately connected with the work
of the Maternity and Child Welfare Department.
Notification of Births.
Under the provisions of the Notification of Births
Acts, 1907 and 1915, early notice of the birth of any
child occurring in the Borough comes to the Medical
Officer of Health, who passes the information to the
Maternity and Child Welfare Department for due action
by the Health Visitors. The Health Visitor in whose
area the event has occurred visits the home a fortnight
later, i.e. when normally the doctor in charge or midwife
has ceased to attend, and does what she can to
help the mother to meet her new responsibilities.