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44
Under the Rules framed by the Central Midwives Board the
following give directions to the Local Supervising Authority:—
Rules, E. 20. The Local Supervising Authority shall make
arrangements to secure a proper inspection of every midwife's
case book, bag of appliances, &c., and, when thought necessary,
an inspection of her place of residence, and an investigation of
her mode of practice.
Rules, F. In carrying out Section 8 (3) of the Midwives
Act, it shall be the duty of the Local Supervising Authority
to suspend a midwife from practice who contravenes the
directions for the use of disinfectants and for the employment
of proper safeguards against the spread of infection, and any
other rules for the purpose laid down by the Central Midwives
Board, and in the exercise of that duty the Local Supervising
Authority shall, after communicating their decision in writing
to the midwife concerned, at once report any suspension (with
the grounds thereof) to the Central Midwives Board.
Under the provisions contained in Section 8, the Council delegated
their powers and duties to the Public Health Committee, and
directed the Medical Officer of Health to take all necessary steps for
the proper operation of the Act and the rules made thereunder
(7th October, 1903).
During the year 1904, 21 midwives notified their intention to
practice within the Borough. Of these, five were resident outside the
area of the Borough, and as they were subject to the visitation of the
officers of the County Council of Essex, it was not felt necessary to
subject them to a second visit of inspection.
It is incumbent on midwives under the rules to send for medical
help in all cases of abortion, of illness of the patient or child, or of
any abnormality occurring during pregnancy, labour, or lying-in, to
keep a record of sending for medical help, and to send a copy of such
record to the Local Supervising Authority. During the year I
received 385 copies of such records.