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by health visitors who are joined by midwives for sessions on childbirth
and analgesia.
(b) Free dental treatment is available to expectant and nursing
mothers. Every expectant mother should have a dental inspection
as part of her preparation for childbirth, because there is an
increased risk of infection if carious teeth are present. Appointments
can be arranged by calling at (or telephoning) the nearest
clinic. Details of inspections made, and treatment given, are shown
in Table 8.
(c) Women's Welfare Clinics provide free contraceptive advice
to women having a medical indication for avoiding childbirth.
Sessions were held throughout the year at Westland Avenue, Abbs
Cross, Harold Wood and Avon Road Clinics, staffed by female
doctors and nurses and a total of 301 women attended.
(d) A weekly cervical cytology session was available for
women referred by their family doctor, in the Health Centre,
Harold Hill. 139 smears were taken, 135 of which were clear; four
results indicated the need for further investigation.
CHILD WELFARE SERVICES
(a) Child Welfare Clinics — these are available for consultation
between parents and doctors and health visitors, and for the
routine screening tests and medical examinations to detect any
deviation from normal development. These include the test for
hearing, muscle control and emotional response which are carried
out by the Health Visitor upon children at the age of nine or ten
months. The purpose of these examinations is to provide early
investigation, treatment and advice in any case of handicap, and
discussion of anxieties and reassurance to all parents, especially
where there is a higher risk of developing handicap because of
various unfavourable hereditary, ante-natal, natal or post-natal
factors. During 1965, 761 children were considered to be " at risk "
and were being carefully followed up.

(b) Specialist and treatment clinics — Speech therapy, orthopaedic
and ophthalmic advice, chiropody, physiotherapy and
orthoptic treatment, and the treatment of minor ailments, were
available to children under the age of five as well as through the
School Health Service. Details are given on page 45 (chart of clinic
services) and on page 24 (School Health Services).
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