MRS. FOWLES' PAPER 365 



Twelve mothers had premature infants, five of 

 whom lived over one month, and three are still alive, 

 doing well. 



Seven of these mothers, acting on the advice of the 

 Superintendent, obtained medical treatment before the 

 birth of the infants ; and in two other cases a shock 

 and a fall were believed by the doctors in attendance 

 to be the causes of the premature births. 



By an arrangement made through one of the 

 honorary medical advisers of the School any mother 

 is recommended for free treatment at the Women's 

 Hospital if unable to pay the registration fee of 

 2s. 6d. The Maternity Hospital, which is situated 

 in the ward, is also a great boon to the mothers, and 

 those whose conditions make it necessary that they 

 become in-patients learn valuable lessons while 

 quietly watching the daily routine. The out-patients 

 also are taught many very necessary lessons by the 

 midwives and pupils in attendance at their homes. 



A private Society provides any nursing or expectant 

 mother, recommended by the School, with daily dinners 

 at a charge of id. per day, or free of charge if they are 

 very poor. Too much cannot be said as to the oppor- 

 tunities given for getting at the very real difficulties of 

 the expectant mothers during these home visits, and 

 valuable lives have been saved through timely 

 advice and help given. 



In one case an expectant mother in her sixth 

 month of pregnancy was found to have developed 

 erysipelas in her throat and face. The week before 

 she had complained of a cold and sore throat. Her 

 only attendant was a young married daughter, who 

 became much alarmed when the doctor notified the 

 case, and an inspector visited the home from the 

 Council House. On the third daily call of inquiry the 

 Superintendent found the woman alone on a couch, 

 partly delirious. Her husband was sent for from 

 work, he went to the doctor in attendance and 



