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101
It is generally held that a Maternity and Child Welfare Officer
cannot do more than twelve cases at one session. It would appear
therefore that we must face the question of a third session each week,
and yet it seems only yesterday that we opened our Ante-natal Centre
tentatively, wondering whether anything was going to happen !
The success of the Ante-natal Centre is assured; similarly, the
Municipal Maternity Home, by another year, may be two small for the
Borough's needs. If we cannot get houses for heroes, we must at least
provide spacious and comfortable maternity homes for heroes' wives.
From our Ante-natal centre many expectant women have been sent to
our dental clinic for treatment. In emergencies, we have sent twelve
to the Miller Hospital dental department. Four cases presenting antenatal
complications were sent to Guy's Hospital, and one suspected
V.D. case was sent to St. John's, Lewisham.
Notification of Still Births. This has been very unsatisfactory ;
such are not registered at the Registrar's. Particulars of each case are
now obtained through the Borough Accountant's office, as the father
has to arrange through the same as regards burial.
Notification of Pregnancy. This was mentioned to the Maternity
and Child Welfare Committee. If the neo-natal mortality is to be
reduced (the deaths occurring before birth and for one month after) a
visit during early pregnancy should be made to the Ante-natal Centre.
In Huddersfield some 35 per cent. of pregnancies are notified. The
expectant mother's consent is required, and notification must be sent to
the Medical Officer of Health within seven days of the engagement or
no fee is paid.
THE PUBLIC HEALTH YEAR, 1922.
A few notes on some of the subjects which came up for consideration
during 1922, are desirable.
The Public Health Committee meet once a fortnight and at each
meeting a full record is presented dealing with the work of the department,
statistics, etc.
I have presented many reports, including:—
Vaccine Therapy.
Unsound Food destroyed in London in 1921,
The Tuberculosis Scheme for the year 1923-4.
Dental Treatment for non-insured Tuberculosis patients.
Case of alleged Food poisoning.