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117
APPENDIX J.
[Submitted to Health Committee at its meeting on the 5th February, 1935.)
GYNAECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS.
Memorandum by Medical Officer of Health.
I beg to report on the above conditions in accordance with Health Committee Minutes (p. 59
No. 33).
The following are the resolutions referred to in this Minute :—
(1) From the Dollis Park Branch of the Women's Co-operative Guild.
"That this meeting of the Dollis Park Women's Co-operative Guild desire the
W. B. C. to set aside 2 hours per week at the Health Centres of Willesden for the gynaecological
treatment of the older women, other than expectant mothers, and so help
and advise many who suffer both in mind and body because they either cannot afford
ordinary treatment or leave things too late to be treated in the early stages."
(2) From the Willesden Green Branch of the Women's Co-operative Guild.
"That this meeting of the Willesden Green Branch of the Women's Co-operative
Guild requests the Borough Council of Willesden to set aside a part of the clinic service,
to give advice to women, other than nursing and expectant mothers, on gynaecological
disease."
(3) From the Women's Section of the West Willesden Labour Party.
"We, the members of the Women's Section of the West Willesden Labour Party
call upon the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden to provide facilities at our clinics,
for the advice and treatment of gynaecology on certain afternoons, evenings, or alternate
afternoon and evening sessions. We feel this is one important branch with which our
health services do not deal and which we consider to be very necessary for women
entering middle life and onwards."
All women are liable to be affected by gynaecological conditions in one form or another; so if a
gynaecological clinic were established at the Health Centres advice and treatment would be sought
by women irrespective of age. It is thus impossible to form an estimate of the number who might
attend. Before advice or treatment could be given to these patients, a diagnosis of the conditions
from which they might be suffering must be made.
All women attending would therefore require a general examination as well as special gynaecological
examination, the latter to be carried out by a surgeon who specialises in diseases of women.
As the result of such examinations patients could be divided into two groups:—
(i.) A small group— Women suffering from conditions that might be diagnosed at the time of
their first attendance.
Coming under this category would be women suffering from injuries to and
displacements of the female organs, some cases of chronic inflammations, a few cases
of growths and a few cases suffering from discharge or bleeding.
(ii.) A large group— Women suffering from conditions which would require further investigation
before a diagnosis could be made.
Coming under this category would be women suffering from chronic inflammations,
chronic discharges, bleeding, especially after the change of life, and most cases of growth
and of sterility.
These further investigations could not be carried out at a Health Centre, as for them the following
are essential:—
(a) The provision of beds under the care of a gynaecological surgeon, together with an
aesthetist, and fully equipped operating theatre, for in certain conditions an examination
under an anaesthetic with or without a small operation is required in order to make a
diagnosis.
(b) The provision of a fully equipped laboratory under the direction of an experienced
ologist for the examination of certain materials. The laboratory needs to be on the
premises, as material sent for some particular examinations is useless unless dealt with
immediately it is taken from the patient.
(c) The use of X-ray apparatus might also be required in some cases.