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41
VIII.—MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
In the appendix will be found certain vital statistics
which indicate that the Maternity and Child Welfare
Service in the Borough has by the lives saved more than
returned the money spent upon it. They, too, indicate the
need of extension of ante-natal practice if we are to reduce
the maternal mortality, and the mortality of the new-born
babe, both of which rates are on the upward curve.
There are needed also other extensions of the Maternity
and Child Welfare Service, the dental treatment for necessitous
expectant mothers, and children under 5 years of age,
orthopaedic treatment of the crippled child and minor ailment
treatment for the necessitous child under 5 years.
It is not to be overlooked that while our schemes are
incomplete in these directions we are allowing early disease
to remain untreated, until the child's entry to school. In my
School Report it is shown that 16 per cent. of Bromley
children entering school life require treatment. I trust the
Committee will take these additions to the Service undr early
considration.
Ante-natal Service.
A medical consultation clinic is held at 12, Park Road,
on the first Friday of every month.
Since its inauguration in 1922 the attendances have
gradually increased, until recently the attendance figure has
averaged 12 per session, an indication of the improvement
in public desire for pre-natal service which follows propaganda
on these matters.
There is also an indication of the mother attending earlier
in pregnancy so offering greater chance for prevention of
disease and the development of a normal pregnancy.