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27
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
The Maternity and Child Welfare service continues to do much
useful work. The infant mortality rate of 63 shows an improvement on
the previous year, which is exceptionally good considering the
overcrowded conditions in which many of our poorer citizens are compelled
to live. The results of these conditions are somewhat reflected in
the chief causes of the infant deaths, which, apart from prematurity,
are chiefly due to diarrhoea and enteritis and respiratory diseases.
As the environment of the people is improved, so the infantile
mortality from these causes will decrease.
Ante-natal work is increasing year by year, and the majority of
mothers are now seeking medical advice in the early stages of pregnancy.
Our records show that of the 2,453 Southwark mothers confined
during the year, 2,271 received ante-natal care and advice.
Six mothers lost their lives as a result of childbirth, and one of these
was a woman of no fixed abode, who stayed in the Borough for one
night only.
ANTE-NATAL CLINICS.
SUTHERLAND HOUSE. (Monday, Dr. Shepherd.)
During the year 135 mothers were seen and given advice, they made
364 attendances.
SUTHERLAND HOUSE. (Friday, Dr. Bergin.)
172 mothers were seen and given advice, they made 426 attendances.
ST. JUDE'S CENTRE, LAMBETH ROAD.
(Monthly, Dr. Shepherd.)
87 mothers were seen and given advice, they made 336 attendances.
SALAMON'S CENTRE.
687 mothers were seen and given advice, they made 3,356 attendances.
MATERNAL MORTALITY.
During the year six deaths were recorded which were due directly
to pregnancy or childbirth, three of these were due to septic causes, and
three from other causes.