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the first baby where the first labour has indicated the
need for confinement! under Home conditions. So far
applications have not been sifted with these conditions
in mind, but it may be necessary to do so before the provision
of more beds is considered. On the other hand,
it is becoming' more and more evident that mothers in
this Borough (in common with London and Greater
London, at least), do prefer to be confined under the
conditions of a Maternity Home or Hospital.
(f) Ante-natal Clinics. With the appointment of
an Assistant Medical Officer, the number of Ante-natal
Sessions weekly was increased from two to four with five
in alternative weeks, and the attendances have averaged
14 per session.
(g) Post-natal Clinic. A Post-natal Session is held
at the Maternity Home not only for mothers who have
been confined there, but for others also. This clinic was
commenced in November, 1937, and the number attending
was 36. This lias continued to grow in a very
pleasing fashion.
(h) Nutrition. Milk foods, etc., are available for
purchase at cost price at the ante-natal clinics, but little
use has been made of this provision, but: increasing: education
of the mothers will remedy this defect. During
the year the Council made milk available in necessitous
cases to mothers throughout the whole of pregnancy, instead
of during the last three months, as formerly. A
more generous scale was also adopted. S'uch provision is
admirable and the Health Visitors and Midwives bring
to the notice of expectant mothers the facilities which
are available.
(i) Home Helps. Thin%ervice, introduced in 1936,
has continued to grow slowly and during the year nine
applications were approved, and nine homes were
attended covering a period of 126 days.
(j) Dental Treatment. No facilities for dental
care are available through the Corporation, but the
urgency of the need for this service has been appreciated
and a service will come into operation in 1938.
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