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149
The number of women seen at the clinic is thus rather less than half
of those who were confined during the year. The greater part of those
who make arrangements to enter St. Andrew's Hospital from this area
are referred to us for observation until the thirty-second week, when they
are transferred to the hospital's ante-natal department. The transfer is
made earlier if complications are detected. The observation of midwives'
c;ises is continued until as near the end of pregnancy as can be arranged.
We were asked by medical practitioners for an opinion on, or to conduct
the ante-natal care of, n patients.

It will thus be seen that the women have usually reached the end of the
sixth month by the time they first attend.
68 women were treated in the dental department, but the late period
of pregnancy at which they are first seen is an obstacle to effective dental
care. If attendance is delayed until the seventh month they are naturally
reluctant to undergo extraction at that stage and as a rule do not submit
unless in considerable pain. Those seen in the earlier months are much
more willing to accept advice on this point.
Haemoglobin estimations are made in the case of all clinically anaemic
women and in as many others as is possible. The treatment of anaemia
has been undertaken for a large number, its response being checked by a
repetition of the test at frequent intervals. Iron is prescribed in tabloids
of ferrous sulphate, and this has overcome the objection which many