[Report 1913] / Sanitary Committee [- Medical Officer of Health], Cornwall County Council.

  • Cornwall (England). County Council.
Date:
1913
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1913] / Sanitary Committee [- Medical Officer of Health], Cornwall County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    203/276 (page 191)
    101 During the year 564 inspections were made to trained Midwives, and 146 to Bona-Fide, representing an average of from 4 to 5 visits to each trained and 4 visits to each Bona- Fide Midwife at work in this county, reckoning 126 Trained and 36 Bona-Fide usually at work. The number of Certified Midwives for the years 1012- 1013 is as follows :— Trained 1012. 1013. 137 160 Bona-Fide 40 Total 186 107 This table shows an increase in the trained and a con- siderable diminution in the Bona-Fide Midwives. A trained Midwife is now at work at Helston, also one in Redruth. On account of home duties, the latter is unable to manage all the Maternity work of the town, which still necessitates the employment of the “handy woman.” The regulations as to keeping pulse and temperature records, which came into force July, 1011, by directing atten- tion to dangerous symptoms, should have resulted in a medical man being more frequently sent for by the Bona- Fide Midwives. But there is no evidence that this has been the case. There has been general carelessness in sendng in the prescribed form “of sending for Medical Help.” The early return of this form has been of great value, as it has made it possible for prompt attention and instruction tO' be given when disinfection, etc., was necessary. There are still large areas in the County where no Mid- wife, either trained or Bona-Fide, is available for women who need one, and as the Bona-Fide Midwives die or cease prac- tising, this difficulty will be increased unless Nursing Associations can be started employing “Nurse Midwives.” The lectures given under the Midwives ’ Association have been well attended in the Eastern Division of the County;