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28
B. In-Patient Treatment.
23 Battersea cases received, made up of—
8 mothers and 11 babies sent by Council.
2 mothers and 2 babies sent from other sources.
Period of stay.
19 cases sent by Council—
8 mothers and 11 babies, 458 days; Average
24.1 days
4 other cases—
2 mothers and 2 children, 141 days; Average
13 days
Ante-Natal Work.
Miss Alice Bloomfield, M.D., F.R.C.S., Consultant-in-charge of
the Ante-Natal Clinics, reports :—
Tuesday Afternoon Special Clinic.—During the year 1929, 878
cases attended this Clinic, of which 814 were new and 64 old cases.
The majority of these patients —810—were referred to have
blood tests taken for the routine Wassermann test, and of these 11
only gave a positive reaction.
In addition 69 patients attended for other examinations, mostly
on account of vaginal discharges or some other symptom of gynaecological
disease. Nine cervical swabs were taken and 55 patients
were retained for local gynaecological treatment.
This clinic, apart from its routine work, occupies a very useful
place in the ante-natal scheme ; at it pregnant and post-natal
patients (i.e. patients attending post-natal clinics) suffering from
gynaecological disease can be kept under observation and receive
treatment. I consider, however, that as a treatment centre it
should be reserved for these, and if other cases are admitted, e.g.
mothers attending Welfare Centres, it should only be for diagnosis,
and referring to a private doctor or hospital as necessary.
Wednesday and Thursday Ante-Natal Clinics.—102 Clinics
have been held, with an average attendance of 23-8 ; 462 new cases
have been seen, of which more than one-half—244—were primiparous
patients.
Every encouragement is given to patients to book early;
and of this advantage has been taken, 362 patients booking before
the sixth month. The practice of booking late, and especially as in
8 cases, after the eighth month, is to be definitely deprecated.