87

H.-31

MORTALITY.

INABILITY TO NURSE.

The Medical School Maternity Hospital, Dunedin. Matron : Rose Macdonald. Localities, broadly, from which patients came: Otago, 173; Southland, 2; Timaru, 2; Oamaru, 3. I visited the Hospital on the 18th November, 1910, and in February, 1911. Everything was, as usual, well kept and in good order, but the walls of the hall are beginning to show need of repainting. An improvement had been made by a small balcony being built out from the upper ward, where patients can be taken out. During the year from Ist April, 1910, there were 174 confinements; there were no maternal deaths; 6 deaths of infants, and 8 stillbirths. Two operations were performed—a pubrotomy and a Caesarian section. In both cases the babies lived and the mothers made a good recovery. Four pupils were trained during the year, and four are now in training. Miss Macdonald was absent for some months in charge of the Dunedin Hospital, and Sister Buckley took temporary charge. Townley Maternity Hospital. I visited the Hospital on the 27th October. There were 4 patients in—l a private patient. The place was in beautiful order, and is convenient and easily worked. The wide verandahs arc splendid for the patients and babies, but it is a pity that the wards are on the western side, and thus get all the afternoon and not the morning sun. The work of the Hospital has been very successfully carried out during the year under Miss Anderson. There have been 61 cases. There were no maternal deaths, but 1 death of an infant. 'Ihe Matron has booked so many cases that the work is evidently increasing. Three pupil midwives are in training, two of whom will be ready for examination in June. Dr. Porter is in charge, and attends all abnormal cases. Alexandra Home. Visited on 20th December, 191U. There were 11 girls and 10 babies in; 1 girl was in the general Hospital with mastitis. Mrs. Masters, the new Matron, seems to be doing good work here. Everything was in excellent order, and the old place, though old, was scrupulously clean and tidy. There are two pupils in training and attending the St. Helens lectures. St. Mary's Home, Otahnhu. I visited St. Mary's Home on the 12th January, 1911. There were 25 girls in the Home, 17 of whom had their babies with them. Nurse Wilson is still in charge of the maternity wards, and doing good work. Some alterations are being made to the labour-room, which will greatly improve it. The babies were all out on the verandah, and looked well cared-for and healthy.

! No. j No. Remarks. Maternal .. 4 1 scarlet fever; 1 scarlet fever and endo-carditis; 1 severe ante-partum haemorrhage ; 1 eclampsia, admitted moribund. Infantile .-. 13 1 from non-closure of forearm ovale; 1 born at six months and a half; 1 cardiac ; 1 weakling; 1 jaundice; 7 premature ; 1 atelectasis. Stillbirths, full 21 2 craneotomy ; 5 placenta praevia ; 1 compression of cord ; 1 impacted breech ; term 1 face: 3 due to albuminuria in mother. Macerated .. 9

Percentage No. on Total Deliveries, j lie marks. lie marks. (,'omp ete Partial .. Total (pariial and complete) 23 I-11 1)1 7'7 114 9-6 1 due to excision of breasts; 3 to debility; 1 epileptic; 10 albuminuria; 4 to phthisis; 1 scarlet fever: 1 bronchitis; 1 syphilis: 1 eclampsia. 3 albuminuria ; 2 elderly primiparse ; 2 eclampsia ; 1 influenza; 1 alcoholic ; 2 inverted nipples; I p.p.h.; 2 to masvitis ; several due to debility and anaemia.