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labour, 1; tumour, 2; septicaemia, 2 (one of these being after an early
miscarriage); there was also 1 death from ectopic gestation.
Convalescent Homes.—Several mothers with their children were sent
away through the Council. In the Soho area, similar facilities are provided
by the St. Henry Fund, of which the Medical Officer of Health is
ex-officio a trustee; 18 mothers with their children were sent to
Convalescent Homes in 1921. Others were sent away through various
charitable agencies.
Motliercraft Classes.—These exist at each Centre and are attended
by mothers both before and after confinement. The classes at the
Pimlico and Bessborough Centres are under the care of Mrs. Coleman and
Mrs. Grice, of the Westminster Branch of the British Red Cross Society,
the former superintending the class giving instructions to the mothers
and supervising the cutting out and making of garments for the children ;
the latter, with the assistance of other ladies, looks after the children
who accompany their mothers.
Employment of Women after Childbirth.—The Factories and Workshops
Act, Section 61, provides that the occupier of a factory or workshop
shall not knowingly allow a woman, or girl, to be employed therein
within four weeks after she has given birth to a child. This Section is
extended to laundries by Section 103.
This Section was administered by the Home Office, but has now
been transferred to the Ministry of Health and local authorities. The
attention of the Health Visitors and the Inspector of Women's Workshops
has been drawn to the matter. Its importance has always been recognised.
Dental Clinic.—The dentist, Mr. W. H. Turner, reports :—I am pleased
to be able to report that the Dental Clinic, established by the Council
towards the end of 1920, has been greatly appreciated by the patients
who have had access to it, and there are already many signs that the
Clinic is meeting an urgent need in the "Health Work" in this district.
During the past year 59 patients (35 mothers, 24 children) had treatment—necessitating
235 visits by those patients. Local anaesthetic
cases numbered 17, whilst the anaesthetist administered 81 general
anaesthetics. 525 teeth were extracted, 72 teeth filled and 188 other
dental operations performed. Dentures were supplied in 2 cases. These
figures emphasise the fact that the majority of the cases were in a very
bad dental condition, and had they been treated in an earlier stage much
more conservative treatment could have been done.