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9
From October 8th, a third session was held at Bruce Castle. This third
session was justified by the very great increase in the number of oases
at that centre, where, during 1937 an average of 20.05 cases were seen
per session, whilst 16.03 per session were seen at The Chestnuts. On
the 25th October The Bruce Castle Clinic was transferred to the new
Lordship Lane Centre. In total there were seen at the ante-natal
clinics during the year 1,144 ante-natal patients.
To obtain an idea of the growth of the work of these clinics, comparison
may be made to the year 1927, when at The Chestnuts 329
cases were seen, with an average of 9.9 per session, and, at Bruce
Castle, 231 cases, with an average of 7.6 per session; or, in other words,
41.1 per cent, of the maternal population of the Borough attended the
clinics in 1937 compared with 22.8 per cent, in 1927.
It is important that the numbers attending at each session should
be kept under 20 in order that ample time may be given for the complete
physical examination of each case, and for the discussion of the
health needs of each mother, and for education work. We attempt at
the clinics to advise mothers how to keep fit, how to avoid fatigue and
how to remove all possibilities of complications in the later months of
pregnancy and during the confinement. Each mother presents a different
psychological problem and time must be allowed to obtain the maximum
response to one's.efforts, therefore, the maximum of 20 per session must
be adhered to; and no more than eight of these should be new cases.
During the past year, especially at Bruce Castle, before the additional
session was sanctioned, the numbers attending were greater than could
be dealt with adequately.
At the clinics the mothers are told of the health services which are
available for them and their children. If any abnormality is found
the patients are referred to their own doctors with a letter, or are sent
to hospital for treatment. Minor ailments can be dealt with, and such
articles as bandages, tonics, cod liver oil and malt, etc., are sold to
them at cost price.
Patients are welcomed as early as possible in pregnancy and their
arrangements for the confinement are fixed up speedily, so that anxiety
is allayed should the event happen before the appointed day.