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is harmful during pregnancy and some mothers are genuinely
nervous of having anything done before confinement. As a matter
of fact if carious teeth are extracted a few at a time and before the
last 6 weeks of pregnancy the chances of untoward results are
remote.
III.—Post-Natal Clinics.
Post-natal cases have been seen throughout the year on Thursday
mornings at the Central Clinic, 410, High Street, Lewisham,
238 mothers made 259 attendances at the clinic during 1937. The
majority were mothers who had been confined at 41, Rushey Green.
Mothers confined in their own homes do not at present seem to
realise the importance and necessity of a post-natal examination six
weeks after confinement as a factor in the future well-being of their
physical condition. Under the new scheme of domiciliary midwifery
the Municipal Midwives are being instructed to encourage their
patients to attend a post-natal clinic, so that improvement in such
attendances may be looked for next year. In addition to the
post-natal examinations made at the Central Clinic 18 such examinations
were made at the Downham Clinic during 1937. Post-natal
cases requiring treatment have been referred to one of the Council's
obstetric consultants at St. John's Hospital. It is hoped that next
year a consultant's clinic will be established at the Central Clinic
to which such cases can be sent instead of directly to hospital.
IV.—Clinics for Mothers and Infants.
(a) Municipal.
These clinics are held at the Lewisham Health Centre on 4
mornings each week and at the Downham Health Centre on 2
mornings each week.
One of the Maternity and Child Welfare Medical Officers and
2 Health Visitors attend each clinic.
Every baby must be weighed and seen by the Doctor.
Necessitous mothers can obtain cod liver oil and other similar
preparations for themselves and their children for as little as 1d.
per week. All who can, are expected to pay cost price for the
preparations recommended to them by the clinic doctor.