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mother was sent to the Ante-Natal Ward at the Royal Free Hospital,
but she refused to stay there, and finally arranged to rest at home.
None of these eight cases developed eclamptic symptoms, and all the
babies were born alive and healthy. Unfortunately, the ninth case of
albuminuria developed eclampsia with a fatal result, in spite of dieting
and Hospital treatment.
The three cases of toxaemia of pregnancy were also put on to a nonmeat
diet and rest enjoined as much as possible. All three did well,
without any eclamptic symptoms and healthy babies were born.
The case of pyelitis cleared up very well with alkali treatment
and rest.
The patient who had chronic appendicitis was far too advanced in
pregnancy for operation, but she had a short period of rest in New End
Hospital before her confinement there.
The two mothers with notified phthisis have been under the joint
observation of the Tuberculosis Medical Officer and myself and are doing
fairly well up to date. We have been able to persuade only one of them
to go into a separate ward at New End Hospital for her confinement.
The case of phlebitis cleared up splendidly with rest in bed and
treatment—the Jubilee Nurse visiting her daily to administer it.
There were two breech presentations in primiparae. In view of the
theory that a still-birth is apt to follow labour in such cases, very special
ante-natal care was given. One of the mothers was sent to the Consulting
Ante-Natal Clinic at the Royal Free Hospital and version was
performed there, after an X-ray examination had shown the presence of
a breech with extended legs. In the other case version took place
naturally, before the confinement was due.
There were two cases in which I found disproportion between the
head and pelvis. In one of them quinine induction was resorted to, as
it was a midwife's case. Both mother and baby did well. In the second,
the disproportion was marked, and with the consent of the midwife, I
sent the patient into New End Hospital, where a Caesarian section was
finally performed. The baby was hydrocephalic and was still-born, but
the mother did well.
There were eight cases of venereal disease in 1927. Two were of
the type that gives rise to eye trouble in the babies subsequently born.
Both these mothers attended the V.D. Department at the Royal Free
Hospital regularly during the ante-natal period, and neither of their
babies developed Ophthalmia Neonatorum. Six had specific disease and
were sent for treatment also to the V.D. Department at the Royal Free