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Finally, I would like to acknowledge the work of the
Health Visitors in attendance at the Clinic, especially in
regard to the very efficient method of taking the history of
the patients and filing the records so that they are immediately
available for future reference.
February 21th, 1935. Ruth C. Townshend.
MATERNITY CLINIC, HEREFORD STREET.
Dr. K. M. Horton reports with regard to the
Maternity Clinic at the Hereford Street Centre, as
follows :—
Steady work has continued throughout the year. While
the average attendance is slightly less than last year the number
of expectant mothers attending shows a small increase and
subsequent attendances have been good. The importance of
post-natal care is learnt slowly by our mothers and while many
attend once after confinement subsequent attendances are
disappointing. In many cases any discomfort or inconvenience
following delivery is such a familiar and apparently inevitable
occurrence that the mother never thinks of seeking help, and
in others the responsibilities of home and family with the
additional new member requires all available time and energy,
leaving none in which to take care of herself. It is hoped that
continued teaching and improved conditions of living in the
future will enable many mothers to make use of the facilities
available.
The mother of the one premature baby was a multipara
and her physical condition poor. In both cases of stillborn
children there was a history of threatened miscarriage, one
before attendance at the clinic, delivery occurring at 7½ months,
and the other was referred to hospital from the clinic but in
spite of rest and treatment she also delivered herself at 7½
months.
Two miscarriages occurred among the mothers attending
the clinic, one at about 3 months pregnancy and she was
admitted to Bethnal Green Hospital; the other occurred in a
case of pregnancy with an ovarian cyst. She was referred to
Miss Basden, F.R.C.S., at the Mildmay Hospital for consultant's
opinion and was admitted for operation. Subsequently she
attended the clinic and did well.
One case of Bartholin's cyst occurred during the year.
She was also admitted under the care of Miss Basden at the
Mildmay Hospital and made a good recovery. One mother
was found to be suffering from carcinoma of the breast when