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The average number of pregnancies per patient for the 327 new patients was 2.9
and the average number of children alive per patient in respect of the 327 patients was
2.9. These averages are definitely lower than the corresponding figures for the
patients who attended the medical clinic.
Duration of married, state.—The following table shows the length of time which
had elapsed since marriage in respect of 287 of the patients in which the details are
available. Patients who were married during 1938 were counted as having been
married one year, those married in 1937 two years, and so on :—
Table No. 1 12
Period since marriage
(years)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
10 +
Total
No. of patients
28
21
41
22
23
27
25
3
5
11
81
287
This table brings out the rather important fact—which was also elicited previously—that
there was apparently no relationship between attendance at the clinic
and the duration of the married state. Opponents of birth control clinics often state
that there will be a preponderance of young married women at such clinics, but the
figures above—although they refer to both gynaecological and birth regulation cases—
indicate broadly that such a supposition is incorrect.
Gynecological work.-—Of the 327 new patients who attended the clinic, 253 were
gynaecological cases. The conditions found and treated, when treatment was
necessary, may be shown broadly as follows:—Cervical erosions, 5; menorrhagia, 33;
leucorrhœa, 38; pregnancy, 47; fibroid, 4; uterine displacements, 45; sterility, 12;
post-natal debility, 31; other conditions, 26. The number of attendances for
gynaecological conditions was 845.
Birth regulation work.—During the year 52 women had advice regarding birth
regulation, and in these instances the necessary appliances were provided. The
number of attendances of women requiring information was 133.
During the year 32 patients were referred to hospital for examination or admission.