View report page

35
Ante-Natal (V.D.) Clinic.
This special treatment clinic was established in connection with
the Ante-Natal Out Patient Department at the Borough Maternity
Hospital late in 1921. The Clinic is fully equipped with the necessary
requisites for diagnosis and treatment, and is under the
direction and supervision of a Specialist Consultant (Mr. H. Corsi,
F.R.C.S.). The work carried out during 1932 is summarised in
the table on page 36.
Mr. Corsi reports as follows:—
During 1932 the percentage of expectant mothers shown to be
syphilitic by the Wassermann and Kahn tests rose considerably.
This is, however, not a matter for surprise, because the figures in
the previous two years were remarkably low, and, in fact, even the
figure for 1932 may be considered a small percentage for any large
city.
On the whole patients tend to come for advice earlier in the
pregnancy, which is a matter of very great importance as regards
congenital syphilis. This is probably due, to some extent, to the
greater diffusion of knowledge on the value of all kinds of ante-natal
treatment, and partly to acquaintance with the Clinics and confidence
in them. Two of the mothers this year were old patients in
previous pregnancies, while another had been to a similar Clinic
in Lancashire.
The average number of ante-natal injections given to each
patient was 9. It was not altogether surprising, therefore, that in
all 11 instances an apparently healthy infant was obtained. Of
these 11,5 so far have been examined by the routine blood tests
and proved non-syphilitic.
Throughout the year a pleasant atmosphere has been maintained
in the Clinic. This is easily upset if there is one "difficult"
patient. But there was none such in 1932; on the whole, therefore,
a satisfactory year.
Maternal Mortality.
During 1932 there were 4 deaths of women from diseases or
accidents of child-birth which is equivalent to a fatality rate of
1.72 per 1,000 births, as compared with 15 deaths and a fatality
rate of 6.06 in 1931.
Three of these deaths occurred in hospital and one at home.
The causes of death were certified as being:—
Puerperal Sepsis 2
Uterine Hæmorrhage 1
Pulmonary Embolism following delivery 1
In addition there were three maternal deaths due to causes
not directly associated with the puerperium.