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77
preceding year. The Pre-Maternity Clinics have already proved a very
valuable aid to our work at the Maternity Home, the Medical Officer
being in a position to give assurance to the normal case and to take
adequate measures to correct any untoward conditions which
may be presented in cases not following a normal course.

(The children are weighed and advice given to the Mothers at every
attendance.)
The Borough Hall figures are somewhat below the 1921 standard
but compare favourably when the reduced number of Consultations
held is borne in mind.
The Ante-Natal Clinic attendances numbered 609. compared
with 592 during 1921, cases totalling 271.
Creche.—The Municipal Creche at Conduit House continues
to be much appreciated by those mothers who, having to go out to
work, find it necessary for their young children to be looked after
during the day. Babies and young children up to five years of age
are cared for from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. at a charge of 8d. per day,
the attendances during the year totalling 2,570.
Whilst the number on the books liable to attend from time to
time is about the same as last year, yet the number of actual attendances
is below last year's figure. This is undoubtedly due to the
facts that mothers are unable to spare the charge for the care of the
children in the Creche, and also that when they do go out to work
and the services of the creche would otherwise be requisitioned, now
owing to the unemployment of the father or older children, the
young child has to be left at home in their care. It will be a question
for the early consideration of the Committee as to whether the
continuance of the Creche on its present lines during this period of