View report page

114
VII—SPECIAL CLINICS FOR WOMEN
In view of the increased attendances at these clinics and in view also of the fact
that a number of women who are desirous of attending the clinics are unable to attend
during the day time, the Committee decided to hold an extra session in the evening.
This session is held on Tuesday evenings and both medical and gynaecological clinics
are held at the same time, thus enabling patients to be seen by the two specialists if
necessary. The evening clinic was commenced on 20th July, 1937.
The specialist staff of the clinics remains unchanged. The Council is fortunate
to be able to retain the services of Dr. Janet K. Aitken, M.D., M.R.C.P., as physician,
and of Dr. Gladys Hill, M.A., M.D., B.S., M.C.O.G., F.R.C.S., as gynaecologist. For
reference purposes the scope of the work carried out at the clinics and the method
of administration are again described in this section, and any changes which were
effected during the year are embodied in the following account.
SCOPE OF THE WORK CARRIED OUT AT THE CLINICS
General Medical Clinic.—Women suffering from any complaint of a medical
nature may attend this clinic, but they are strongly advised to bring with them a
report from their private practitioner or from the doctor at some other Clinic. In
actual fact the majority of the patients do bring such references. It was thought
that this clinic would be specially useful in the difficult work of differentiating between
functional and organic conditions, and this expectation has been realised. As a
general rule continued treatment is not carried out. Many women do receive courses
of a comparatively small number of stock drugs, but in most cases this therapy can
be regarded as mainly diagnostic. This clinic is held on Fridays at 10 a.m. and,
jointly with the gynaecological clinic, on Tuesdays at 6.30 p.m.
Gynœcological Clinic.—At the gynaecological clinic birth regulation cases and
gynaecological cases are dealt with at the same session. In the case of all patients
who request birth-control information a complete gynaecological examination is
performed, and any necessary minor treatment is carried out. Patients who request
birth-control information are also recommended to attend at the medical clinic
for examination, and a large proportion of them have a general medical examination.
Minor conditions which are treated at the clinic include erosions, prolapse, and other
displacements. No single method of contraceptive technique is used. In many
cases Dutch caps are recommended and fitted, and frequently these are supplemented
by solubles or by lactic acid pessaries. The method employed is often dictated by