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83
One child suffering from ringworm of the scalp was treated
by X-ray at Queens Hospital at a cost of one guinea.
Ante-Natal Clinic.
During the year two weekly ante-natal sessions were held at
the Becontree Clinic, two at the Dagenham Clinic and one at the
Five Elms Out-Patient Department. In addition, one monthly
session was held in the Chadwell Heath ard.
At the Five Elms Out-Patients Department the Consultant
Gynaecologist paid fortnightly visits throughout the year, seeing
a total of 133 women who made 182 attendances.
Of the 101 cases requiring institutional treatment, 90 were
admitted to Oldchurch Hospital, 2 to Queen Mary s Hospital,
Stratford, and 9 to Charing Cross Hospital, under the care of the
Consultant Gynaecologist. For the 101 women admitted under
the Council's scheme, the Local Authority paid £550.
Amongst the women attending the clinic were 43 who attended
for post-natal examination, mostly on account of sub-involution or
cystocele. In addition, 34 on attending were found not to be
pregnant.
36 per cent, of the cases attended of their own accord,
31 per cent, were referred by the midwives, 30 per cent, on the
advice of a Health Visitor and 8 per cent, on the recommendation
of a neighbour. Last year, 35 per cent, of 733 cases were referred
i by midwives. As it was suggested that failure of some midwives
to refer their cases was due to a fear of their losing the case by its
being referred to hospital, a system of paying 10s. compensation
to a midwife who lost a case in this way was inaugurated. In spite
ot this, this year only 31 per cent, of 752 cases were referred by
midwives.
The number of patients who paid only one visit was much
less this year than last, being 90 against 176. The number who
attended twice was 96 ; three, four and six times, 68, 82 and 64 ;
and 215 paid six visits or over, compared with a figure of 82 last
year. These figures are exclusive of those patients who had a
miscarriage or who removed from the district before their confinement,
and includes the attendances made at the hospital ante-natal
clinics those patients referred to hospital for confinement. T he
reduction in the number who paid only one visit as compared with
last year's figures is a great improvement, as single attendances,
Particularly if paid early in pregnancy, are of relatively little value.
Of the 90 cases who paid only one visit, 28 and 22 attended in the
8th and 9th months of pregnancy, which is possibly the best time