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49
During last year, routine blood tests have been performed on the
majority of expectant mothers attending the Ante-natal Clinics whilst
some have also been carried out at New End Hospital, on our cases.
It is becoming increasingly evident that these tests will detect any
latent condition in the expectant mother which might lead to miscarriage,
still births or to the birth of premature and diseased infants.
In October, 1937, therefore, it was decided to carry them out at our
Clinics, the blood being collected and sent to the Pathologist at the
Royal Free Hospital where it is examined at the expense of the London
County Council.
Little difficulty has been experienced in persuading the mothers to
consent to this investigation when the importance of ascertaining that
the blood is healthy during pregnancy is explained to them.
It is of interest to note that of 270 blood tests, the Wasserman
and Kahn reactions proved negative in 259 cases and positive in 11.
Each of the latter 11 women was persuaded to go to the Special Clinic
at the Royal Free Hospital so that the tests might be repeated after a
provocative injection of novarsenobillon had been given. In only 4
cases was the "repeat test" still found to be positive and these were
definitely considered to have a taint and to need treatment. As in the
remaining 7 cases the "repeat tests" proved negative, the Medical
Officer at the Special Clinic advised that the first positive test should
be disregarded and no treatment given. It is found, therefore, that
only 4 out of 270 tests yielded a persistently positive Wasserman reaction,
i.e., a percentage of 1.4. This figure agrees closely with that
obtained in another London Borough where routine blood tests have
been carried out for some years. In 1937, 934 tests were carried
out there, with a percentage of 18 persistent positives, the first
positive test being always repeated after a provicative injection of
novarsenobillon. It may be of interest to note one anomalous case
which shewed a negative Wasserman reaction. A month later she
developed severe endocervicitis and was sent to the Special Clinic at
the Royal Free Hospital for diagnosis and treatment. There a routine
blood test was carried out and proved positive, remaining so after a
provocative injection of novarsenobillon had been given.
(Signed) MARY K1DD,
M.B. (Lond.).