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33
Ante-Natal (V.D.) Clinic.
This special treatment clinic was established in connection
with the 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 1935 is summarised in
the table on page 34.
Mr. Corsi reports as follows:—
During 1935 the blood of 613 prospective mothers was examined,
and of this number a positive or weakly positive Wassermann
reaction was found in 12, a percentage incidence of 1.9. Only four
of these however, called for thorough treatment, the others being
weak positive reactions; a few injections only were given, and
only to some of the eight patients.
Of the four serious cases one was treated out of the Borough;
two were brought to a successful confinement, and have given birth
to healthy infants ; the fourth was a bad case in which, in spite of
treatment, the foetus soon died. As this mother has already two
children who attend a school for the partially blind, this was probably
a fortunate issue.
The general atmosphere of the clinic continued to be a pleasant
one ; occasionally there was a little difficulty in getting patients to
attend, but this was always due to the call of their home duties,
and not to any disinclination to have the treatment.
Ambulance Service.
As stated in the Report for 1934 the London County Council
had decided to make their ambulance service available at all hours
for the conveyance of maternity cases to hospital without charge,
and this extension came into operation in April, 1935.
Midwives.
So far as can be ascertained there are 13 registered private
midwives who reside in Battersea or adjoining districts and practise
in the Borough, apart from those employed in the Council's
maternity services.
In addition to these private midwives and the District service
provided by the Borough Council (vide page 38) the eastern portion
of the Borough is served by the district midwifery services of
St. Thomas's Hospital, Clapham Maternity Hospital and the
General Lying-in Hospital, York Road.
The scheme adopted by the Council (which is set out fully in
the last Annual Report) for the compensation of private midwives
who suffer financial loss through the removal of their patients to
hospital came into force on 3rd January, 1935. No claims were
made under that part of the scheme which relates to patients