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Several cases were examined at more than one Centre. A few particulars of
their methods of working are given herewith :—
St. Bartholomew's Hospital.—Patients are seen as early as possible in pregnancy.
When first seen, there is a general and pelvic examination by the doctor. Every
case is seen by a consultant at 36 weeks. Primigravidae are seen frequently, but
normal multiparae are seen only twice. No routine Wassermann reaction is taken.
City of London Hospital.—Patients are advised to come as early as possible,
and the history is taken and the urine examined by an experienced midwife. "If
necessary" they are seen by a doctor. As a routine, they are told to come at the
7th month, when all are seen by a doctor. They are seen every fortnight after
the 7th month. Wassermann reactions are not taken as a routine, and internal
measurements are only taken in special cases.
Model Welfare Centre.—All cases have a full physical examination by the doctor
on their first visit, and are afterwards seen regularly. No routine Wassermann
reaction is taken, and internal measurements are only taken in special cases.
Salvation Army, Nichols Square.—Cases are examined ante-natally, and are
attended in their confinements by midwives with pupils. Abnormal cases are sent
to the Salvation Army Hospital at Clapton. Patients are examined monthly, and
fortnightly for the last two months. There is no routine internal examination.
A charge is made of 1 guinea for a multipara, and 25s. for primigravida. Necessitous
cases are quite free.
Harman Street Mission.—'Cases are seen by midwives only. They are advised
to come as early as possible, and are examined by the nurse. After this, they are
seen every fortnight. Special cases are referred to a doctor or a hospital. Every
case is visited at home. The ordinary charge is 1 guinea for multiparae, or 25s.
for primigravidae, but some cases are free.
POST-NATAL CARE.
It is now the custom of many authorities to arrange for a consultation and
enquiry into the mother's health at least once, a few weeks after the birth of the
baby.
It does not appear to be done as a routine at any of the hospitals working for
Shoreditch mothers. The City of London Hospital has a Post-natal Clinic to which
patients come as symptoms arise,. and similarly, at the Model Welfare Centre, and
at the School for Mothers, Herbert Street, cases are seen in conjunction with the
Ante-natal Clinics. Much ill-health does arise often as a result of confinement,