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In the case of gonorrhoea, 86 males and 38 females, out of the total of 226 and
54 of the respective sexes coming under treatment during the year for the first time,
discharged themselves before completion of the first course of treatment.

A few beds are provided at the Centre for in-patient treatment and the number
of days of such treatment totalled: males, 23; and females, 26.
In the laboratories associated with the Centre 6,832 specimens were examined,
47 for the detection of spirochetes, and 1,367 for gonococci. 5,269 examinations for
the Wassermann reaction were undertaken and 149 other examinations.

Included in the above total were 20 examinations for gonococci and 3,183
examinations for the Wassermann reaction at the request of general practitioners.
TREATMENT OF PARTURIENT WOMEN SUFFERING FROM
VENEREAL DISEASES.
At the request of the Local Government Board, the Metropolitan Asylums
Board in 1917 opened a Centre for the treatment of parturient women suffering
from Venereal Disease. The accommodation is provided for the Board by the City
of London Guardians at the Thavies Inn Infirmary, Robin Hood Court, and
consists of beds for twenty mothers with infants. When first established the
Centre was apparently fully appreciated, but for some little time past the attendances
have been steadily declining.
The Metropolitan Asylums Board felt that one of the reasons for this decline
was that the existence of the Institution was not sufficiently well known to medical
practitioners, and at their request a letter was forwarded to all medical men in the
City, a copy of which is reproduced below:—
TREATMENT OF PARTURIENT WOMEN SUFFERING FROM VENEREAL DISEASES.
Dear Sir,
In 1917, the Metropolitan Asylums Board, at the request of the Local Government
Board, arranged for the provision of special accommodation for the treatment of parturient
women suffering from Venereal Diseases. Pauper and non-pauper cases are admitted, the
latter on the recommendation of the Medical Officer of Health.
This accommodation, which is provided for the Board by the City of London Guardians
in a portion of the Thavies Inn Infirmary, Robin Hood Court, High Holborn, E.C., consists
of beds for twenty mothers with infants. There is also attached to the Infirmary an outdoor
clinic for treatment after discharge.
There are at the Institution a Matron and midwives with special experience and a medical
and nursing staff.
No definite regulations have been laid down as to the stage at which patients may be
admitted, but it is customary to receive them not earlier than the seventh month of pregnancy.
The cost of treatment is a charge on the rates.
The Consulting Specialist (Mr. John Adams, F.R.C.S.), has reported that the continuation
of the treatment after leaving the Centre is most important to effect a cure of both mother
and baby.
Perhaps you will consider whether advantage may not be taken of the facilities offered
if patients suitable for treatment come under your notice. Applications for admission should
be made on an order signed either by the Clerk to the Guardians or by me. A supply of
application forms is kept at this office and may be obtained on request.
Yours faithfully,
20th December, 1923. Medical Officer of Health.
D