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78
First visits to newly-born infants 1,727
Subsequent visits to children under 1 year of age 4,115
Subsequent visits to children over one year of age and
under five 9,898
Visits to expectant mothers 14
Home visits for other reasons 920
Total visits paid 16,674
Owing to the serious illness of two of the Health Visitors, the
number of visits made is somewhat lower than the total paid
during 1922.
Supervision of Midwives.—There are 10 certified midwives
resident and practising in the district (apart from those at the
Maternity Home).
Unfortunately under the Midwives Act, 1918, Section 12,
permission is withheld for delegation to a District Council of the
powers of the County Council as supervising Authority. There
is no doubt that such work can be carried out as efficiently and
economically by the local Public Health Department, and it is
difficult to understand the reason for this section of the Act.
During 1923 it was not found necessary to report any local
midwives to the County Medical Officer of Health for infringement
of the regulations of the Central Midwives Board.
One unqualified woman was reported to the County Medical
Officer of Health for attending a confinement contrary to the
regulations of the Midwives' Acts.
Supply of Milk to Expectant and Nursing Mothers and
for Infants.—Under the Regulations of the Ministry of Health,
during 1923 176 mothers and infants were supplied with cow's
milk free, 40 with dried milk, and 15 with condensed milk.
A total of 8,784½ quarts of cows' milk, 905 lbs. of dried
milk, and 355 tins of condensed milk were given free under the
above Regulations.