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50
Maternal Mortality.
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 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.
In spite of all that is being done towards the prevention
of maternal mortality, the annual figure is
still high and it is now universally recognised that
only constant observation and medical supervision of
pregnant women will in time effect satisfactory results
in this direction. Every effort is being made by the
Fulham Maternity and Child Welfare Department
towards this end.
The Babies' Hospital.
The Babies' Hospital has accommodation for 21
children under five years of age and is under the control
of a Voluntary Committee, who receive a grant of
£1,447 per annum from the Fulham Borough Council
and the services of a Medical Officer.
Children under five years of age are admitted to
the Hospital suffering from a variety of diseases, the
majority being patients requiring dietetic treatment
or suffering from marasmus or wasting; others include
premature infants requiring special care and nursing
and cases of malnutrition and enlarged glands, especially
of the neck, which require careful dieting and
open-air treatment. The number of cases of rickets
has diminished markedly of late years, due to the
mothers of the present day having more enlightened
views regarding health, dieting and the value of fresh
air and sunshine. Children are also admitted after
minor operations such as adenoids and circumcision.
A considerable number of infants and children with