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45
attend at fixed hours to give advice to expectant mothers
and mothers with infants; she could undertake the visiting
of puerperal fever cases, and of reported cases of
Measles and Chicken Pox where no doctor has been
called in. She could also give simple lectures and health
talks to women each afternoon at some fixed centre (I
suggest the Queen Adelaide Dispensary, which could he
hired for this purpose).
A CONSULTATION CLINIC FOR EXPECTANT
MOTHERS.
In the artificial life of the present day there are a
number of abnormal conditions to which pregnant women
are subject; the symptoms pointing to these may be only
slightly noticeable, yet if neglected they may be dangerous
to the life of the expectant mother and to the
unborn child. Many women neglect these symptoms
until too late; they are shy and do not care to consult a
male doctor. Yet if they could have an informal talk
with a qualified lady they would not hesitate to reveal
their troubles; advice could then be given which would
save much useless suffering, and perhaps even life. I
may here mention a few of the conditions referred to:
Pelvic deformities, Displacements of the Womb, Swollen
legs, Varicose veins, Breast troubles, Anæmia, Constipation,
Excessive morning sickness, Vaginal discharges,
the prevention of Ophthalmia Neonatorum, the testing
of urine and the prevention of puerperal convulsions, the
prevention of miscarriages, advice as to hæmorrhages,
and lastly the reference of ill-fed or very poor mothers to
dinner centres.