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22
Ante-natal work as just referred to should be supplemented by :—
(a) Home visiting, either by the midwife or with her knowledge and
co-operation.
(b) Educational classes in hygiene of pregnancy, mothercraft, etc.;
these may be incorporated with the talks to mothers at the Infant
Welfare Centres.
(c) Dinners or milk for expectant and nursing mothers may be
provided through the Maternity Centres. In this connection it may be
stated that it is impossible to lay too great stress on the importance of
adequate nourishment for expectant mothers if the child is to be born
healthy and strong, and grow up healthy and strong. Shillings spent
properly on the mother during the carrying period are worth pounds
spent on the child afterwards.
(d) Dental treatment, where necessary, is most important, as caries
and septic teeth exercise a specially deleterious effect on health during
pregnancy and lactation. The Ministry of Health have promised to
pay a grant towards the cost of dental treatment to authorities who
provide this below the cost price, or free, and where the circumstances
of the case justify such a course.
(e) Maternity Hospital or Home should be associated with the
Ante-Natal Clinic, and admission for institutional treatment where
necessary be arranged for.
Treatmeant for venereal disease. Many cases of pregnancy are
unfortunately complicated by venereal disease, and it may be necessary
hospitto refer the case to a venereal disease hospital or a specialist venereal
medical officer:
With regard to the above-mentioned adjuncts of ante-natal work as
conducted in Deptford, details as regards (a), (b) and (c) will be found
in the paragraphs on Infant Welfare Centres. Endeavours are being
made to provide dental treatment for expectant mothers by mean of a
scheme which will embrace also dental treatment for persons resident
in the Borough suffering from Tuberculosis. The Public Health
Committee have had the question of the establishment of a Maternity
Home under their earnest consideration for a considerable time, and it
is to be deplored that there is no suitable building available in the
Borough. Endeavours have been made for a long time to obtain the
Red Cross War Depot in Lewisham High Road for this purpose, but
up to the moment of writing the Borough Council, in spite of many
attempts, have been unable to come to a working arrangement with the
London County Council, which owns the premises.