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and as the statistics show, is achieving important preventive results.
It has been of benefit to the mothers and it may be said, without
exaggeration, that with the maternity and gynaecological wards of
the Mayday Hospital, and the beds retained in the St. Mary's Hospital,
the facilities provided are as complete as in any other schemes
of the same kind. The work of the Almoner to this department,
Miss Kirby, has also been of much assistance.
The chief points which arise out of the first year's working of
this unit are:—
The importance of the Ante-natal accommodation at the Mayday
Hospital. The type of case admitted has differed from the
Ante-natal cases admitted to the Council's beds at St. Mary's
Hospital. The latter have comprised cases sent from the Clinics
just prior to labour for induction, version or similar reasons, the
former include Ante-natal complications of a grave nature such as
pre eclampsic states ; hyperemesis, pyelitis ; such cases, without
in-patient facilities, might have proved fatal.
The post-natal clinic has shewn its value, and it is a distinct
success. The number of attendances of mothers for gynaecological
conditions has shown the need for additional institutional beds for
these cases.
The increase in the number of puerperal fever and puerperal
pyrexia cases notified is interesting, and is possibly due to a more
accurate ascertainment owing to the increased facilities offered
under the scheme, for specialist opinion free of charge to the
patient. A series of cases of puerperal fever which occurred
during the first half of the year was the subject of a special report
by myself to the Public Health Committee and to the Ministry
of Health.
A distinct increase is shown in the number of consultations
both at the Clinic and on the district regarding obstetrical or
gynaecological difficulties, with general practitioners which points
to an appreciation on their side of this part of the scheme.
I am indebted to Dr. D. M. Lindsay, the Assistant Medical
Officer of Health for Obstetrics, for the details given below.
Ante-natal Supervision.
The numbers attending the Ante-natal Clinics at Lodge Road
increased during the year to such an extent, that it was ultimately
found necessary to hold an additional session per week. Five