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72
Post-natal Consultations.
Twenty-seven mothers attended the post-natal consultations at the Centre,
10, John Street, 10 of whom had attepded the Centre as ante-natal cases. They
made 68 attendances in all.
The chief defects found were one case of perineal tear, referred to hospital;
cne case of fibroids, referred to hospital; three cases of retroverted uterus, two
treated at Centre and one referred to hospital; two cases of prolapse, referred to
hospital; four cases of cervicitis, treated at Centre; three cases of laceration of
cervix, one referred to hospital; three cases of pruritus vulvae, treated at Centre;
two cases of subinvolution, treated at Centre.
Three mothers attended the post-natal clinic at the Short's Gardens Centre.
In two cases there was considerable leucorrhoea, one of the patients was referred
to hospital and the other to a private doctor.
Instruction in Mothercraft and Hygiene.
For some years, both in the home and in the Centres, we have made use of
leaflets written in non-technical language dealing with the hygiene of infancy and
maternity and have hung the walls of the Centres with pictures and mottoes to
give point to our teaching and to draw attention to the series of leaflets.
Propaganda posters are pasted on the outer walls at the Centres. There is
also a glass-fronted case for the display of a special poster; this poster is changed
frequently.
Mrs. Reynolds Bray, a qualified masseuse, has given valuable help by placing
her services at the disposal of the Medical Officers of the John Street Centre, free
of all fees.
Miss Mary Carter and Miss Edith Joyce have continued to give us a great deal
of valuable assistance during the year by making children's garments for busy
mothers from materials supplied by the mothers and from their own resources.
Miss Audrey Stables has also given assistance at the Centre on Wednesdays whenever
required. Assistance is given at the Centres in cutting out garments at any
time; patterns of the most suitable woven garments are given away, also directions
for making knitted garments and advice as to the choice of suitable materials. A
sewing machine is available for use of the mothers at 10, John Street and instruction
in its use is given at any time. Up-to-date model garments for babies and
young children are always on view at the Centres.
Three hundred and seventy-five hanks of wool of a special quality were sold at
cost price to the value of £15. 12s. 2d.
Maternity outfits are placed on sale at the Centre at cost price, 5s. 10d. Only
one outfit was sold. It is to be regretted that the price of these puts them beyond
the reach of the poorest, who are often the least well equipped, and therefore most
in need of the outfit.
The death, during 1934, of Mrs. Thouless, formerly a member of the Holborn
Maternity and Child Welfare Committee is noted with regret. The opportunity is
taken to record appreciation of her interest in the Holborn Centres up to the time
of her death. During many months of invalid life Mrs. Thouless made, and gave,
a number of garments for use at the John Street Centre.