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37
The work of visiting and reporting upon Battersea cases, which
is done by the Council's health visiting staff for the obstetric and
gynaecological departments of several of the larger hospitals is
summarised on page 28.
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 1936 is summarised in
the table on page 38.
Mr. Corsi reports as follows :—
During 1936 the Wassermann blood test was performed on
684 prospective mothers. Of these 5 gave a full positive and were
accordingly treated. One received inadequate treatment, but had
an apparently healthy baby. She moved out of the Battersea
district soon after, and the baby was therefore not tested. Of the
other four, one has not yet come to term ; three were confined only
late in the autumn, and will be tested shortly. All three had
healthy looking babies.
A further sixth case was treated, because, though her blood
was negative she was believed on other grounds to be syphilitic ;
she had, in fact, had a number of miscarriages and still births. She
was given a full course of injections, and possibly, and even probably
on this account, a living, and so far apparently healthy, infant was
obtained.
Apart from the one case inadequately treated, mainly owing
to technical difficulties in the treatment, everything proceeded very
smoothly throughout the year, and a friendly atmosphere prevailed.
Ambulance Service.
The ambulance service of the London County Council is
available at all hours for the conveyance of maternity cases to
hospital without charge, and patients entering the Borough
Maternity Hospital make full use of the facilities provided.
Midwives.
The Midwives' Act, 1936, which passed into law on 31st July,
embodies the Government proposals for the establishment of a
salaried service of midwives. In London the Act is to be
administered by the London County Council, who are required to
consult, among others, an association representing the Borough
Councils before submitting their proposals to the Minister of Health.
This stage had not been reached by the end of the year.
So far as can be ascertained there are 12 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.