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early expansion of the service was not possible due to difficulties
in recruiting technicians in the Hospital Laboratory Service. These
difficulties were resolved early in 1966 and in consequence,
sessions were commenced at the Cranham, Elm Park, Harold
Wood, Romford and Upminster Clinics between April and May. The
number of smears taken increased from 139-in 1965 to2520 in
1966. The results are as set out in the following table.

Mothercraft and Relaxation Classes
The importance of full and early ante-natal care was stressed
in my last report, and reference was also made to the Mothercraft
and Relaxation Classes. During the year 822 expectant mothers
attended these classes for the first time, the total attendances
at the 497 classes held being 4110. Of the 822 women who
attended for the first time 638 were booked for a hospital confinement
and 184 for domiciliary confinement. The classes,
staffed by Health Visitors aided by Midwives who attend for the
sessions dealing with analgesia, are greatly appreciated by the
mothers, most of whom are young women expecting their first
babies, and the instruction given encourages then to ensure
that they co-operate to the full in receiving proper ante-natal
care, both in their first and subsequent pregnancies. The classes
also enable the mothers attending to meet others with the same
problems and to establish a friendly relationship both with the
Health Visitors and between themselves, which continues
after the birth of their babies when they subsequently attend the
Child Welfare Clinics.