H.—3l

Midwives' Registration.—There were 200 candidates for the two examinations held in June and December, 1925. Of these 190 were successful. There were thirteen overseas midwives registered during the year. SECTION 2.—ST. HELENS HOSPITALS. Wellington. —This hospital has had a very busy year. The anti-natal clinic has been responsible for increased activity in the institution, as patients are now admitted, if necessary, prior to confinement. There was one maternal death from cardiac failure after labour, due to a diseased condition of the kidneys. One patient—an outdoor case—died from septicaemia following difficult labour with complications. There were six deaths of infants, all due to congenital conditions. Dr. Agnes Bennett returned at the beginning of March from a visit to Great Britain and America, where she visited many of the most modern maternity hospitals, and obtained much information which should prove of the highest value in the Department's present effort to improve the standard of midwifery in New Zealand. Dr. Corkill reports : " The influence of the ante-natal clinic on the hospital has been especially seen in the admission of cases of albuminuria for treatment and of a few malpresentations for correction. It is interesting to report that three transverse presentations were diagnosed ante-natally. All were admitted to hospital and successfully corrected by external version. During the year the introduction of basins into the wards, and of sterilizers, has been carried out. This has already led to great improvement and added convenience in working. Christchurch. —This institution is very cramped for room. With provision for fifteen patients it has on several occasions had several in excess of that number and has then been overcrowded. As the building has always been the least satisfactory of all those under the control of the Department for the purposes of a maternity hospital, great credit is due to the staff that the results have seen so satisfactory. Miss Bagley, who has done such good service as Matron, has been transferred to Wanganui. Miss Price at the latter institution is succeeding her in a temporary capacity. Dunedin. —There are no maternal deaths out of the 174 patients confined. Two sets of twins died from prematurity, one full-term infant died from intestinal haemorrhage. Twelve premature babies, born at eight months, all lived. Dr. Siedeberg reports : " The ante-natal department has again proved successful. Of those presenting themselves we admitted eighteen for treatment for such conditions as false pains, jaundice, oedema, haemorrhage, albuminuria with fainting turns or excess sickness, for induction, diarrhoea, abnormal watery discharge." Invercargill.—ln this same institution there were 187 deliveries and no maternal deaths. The two infantile deaths were due —in one case to congenital heart-disease, in the other to haemorrhage. Wanganui. —Dr. D. Wilson reports : " Admissions show a slight increase from the previous year. The Matron, Miss Elliot, after several years of good service, has resigned to take up private nursing. Her place has been taken by Miss Price, R.R.C. The newly established ante-natal clinic has proved useful. The work of the institution has been carried out to my satisfaction." There were no maternal deaths. One infantile death was due to prematurity, the other to congenital cystic goitre. Gisborne.—Of the 118 deliveries there were no maternal deaths and no deaths of infants. Dr. Williams reports a very good year, with only one morbid case, due to abnormality. Auckland. —Dr. Tracy-Inglis reports : " A very successful year, and the largest number of patients up to date, being an increase of forty-two patients over last year. I have again to express my appreciation of the services of the Matron during the past year. Her organizing ability and skill in midwifery is largely responsible for the successful year."

St. Helens Hospitals.—Statistics for 1925.

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'■afis* ussa sss? 1 1 I I Wellington .. .. 398 15 2 6 86 19 Christchurch .. . . 320 3 2 9 207 17 G-isborne .. .. 118 4 .. .. 4 8 Wanganui .. . . 131 3 .. 2 21 15 Invercargill .. . . 187 4 .. 2 15 8 Dunedin .. . . 174 3 .. 5* 69 8 Auckland .. . . 646 19 2 II 225 30 Totals, 1925 ..1,974 51 6 35 627 105 Totals, 1924 ..1,837 69 5 21 623 90 * One full-time, four premature.