Smyrna times., 1936-07-30
STATE DRIVE TO
CUT DEATHS
All Health Movements of the
State Urged To Join
Campaign
MATERNITY CASES

A drive to reduce the maternal
death rate in Wilmington and the
state is being conducted by the
State Board of Health in coopera-
ton with the Wilmington Board
of Health and the Delaware Chill
dren's Bureau and Board of Health
Departments of all Towns in Del
aware which is contributing funds.
DIR. A. c. Jost, executive secretary
of the State Board, said that the
maternal death rate can be cut
in half if mothers, mid-wives, ply
sicians, hospitals, and prenatal
clinics all achieve greater cooper
alton. At present, DR.. Jost said,
Delaware's maternal death rate is
averaging 33 annually, or about 68
per 10000 live births. The national
average is somewhat lower, he
said. Explaining the high Delaware
rate, Dr.Jost said it must be borne
in mind that this state has large
Negro population. The Negro ma
ternal death rate has always been
considerably higher in the United
States than among white mothers,
he said. Most of the work of the
campaign will be carried On in
Wilmington, DR.. Jost said. There
are three clinics there for prenatal
consultation and care, and these
will extend their education work,
he said. In addition, it was said,
greater supervision of midwives
will be enforced. They are by law
under the regulation of the State
Board of Health. Midwives, who
are by law required to take out Ii
censes annually by August i. will
be given closer instruction and
supervision by the state health au-
thorities.
Instruction For Mothers
Midwives, who deliver 20 per
cent of the children born in Del
aware, are being urged throughout
the state to report coses for which
they have been engaged. after
which a public health nurse will
visit the prospective mother, and
see that she is properly instructed,
and if possible persuade her to
have medical prenatal care. In
addition to this step, midwives are
being sent report blanks with
which to notify health authorities
of impending births, and report ill
mothers or new born babies. Mon
thly visits to all midwives will be
made as in the past several years
by public health nurses to assure
that the midwives are using prop
er methods, and have correct equip
ment. Quarterly conferences are al
so to be held with the midwives
as in the past during which in
struction and information upon
new methods will be given.
Better Record Anticipated
Infant mortality also will be at.
tackled in this campaign, DR.. Josi
said, as in this respect, too, Del
aware is far from occupying the
position it should. The nationa
average infant mortality is about
so per 1000 births, while the besi
Delaware has done is in the COS
DR.. Jost said. Here, as in the case
of maternal deaths, he said, the
large percentage of Negroes il
Delaware has to be considered. In
dications point to better RECORD
in Delaware this year as to infan
mortality for 1886 than in previou!
years, DR.. Jost said. 1t cannot bt
altogether accurately forecast
however, he said, until the fal
months are past. Medical scienc,
is doing its share, DR.. Jost said
but greater cooperation of all &C
tive factors in the field of the car,
of prospective mothers, care a
birth, and Immediately after mus
be obtained if marked reduction il
the maternal and infant mortalit,
rates are to be effected in tn
United States.