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427
Of the 60 confinements 55 were normal (one of these was
referred to hospital for the confinement on account of heart
disease).
Five were abnormal, three were advised to engage a doctor
for confinement, one was referred to hospital and the midwife
called in a doctor in the fifth case.
Dr. Muncey, in a reference to the great need for dental work
in connection with expectant mothers is voicing a real need which
is equally felt by those who have to deal with nursing mothers and
their children, and Tuberculosis. There is a vast amount of handicapping
and unnecessary suffering, malnutrition and disease,
resulting from the neglect of dental advice and treatment; and so
many Health Authorities are now providing for dental services
in connection with all the above-mentioned branches of public
health work.
Under paragraph 24 of the Maternity and Child Welfare
Circular of the Local Government Board of the 9th August, 1918,
a grant of half the expenditure on dental treatment is repayable,
and the Board stated that ''a dental clinic should, whenever
practicable, be available for expectant and nursing mothers
and for children under five."
In Stoke Newington the establishing of a Dental Clinic would
be a costly method of providing the necessary treatment; and the
most economical method would appear to be either by arranging
with the Education Authority for the use of a joint clinic, or by
making special arrangements with a local dentist, by which he would
treat at his own consulting room patients sent by the Medical Officers
of the Welfare Centres and Tuberculosis Dispensary. The latter
arrangement would save all expenses of equipment and maintenance
of dental instruments and appliances, and could probably
be put into operation more quickly.
THE DISINFECTING AND CLEANSING STATION.
During the year ending December 31st, 1921, the following
disinfecting and cleansing work was performed at the station:—