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62
Gas and Air Analgesia.—During 1950 gas and air analgesics were
administered in 384 cases, of which 327 were attended by the Domiciliary
Midwives (290 when acting as midwives and 37 when acting as maternity
nurses) and 57 were attended by the Salvation Army midwives (50 when
acting as midwives and 7 when acting as maternity nurses).
All the domiciliary midwives employed at the end of the year were
qualified to administer gas and air analgesics and the two Salvation Army
midwives were also so qualified.
Four sets of apparatus for the purpose of the administration of gas
and air analgesics are stored in the Ambulance Depot and the apparatus
is transported to the house of the patient on the request of the midwife.
The Salvation Army midwives also have two machines which are kept at
their Branch Home and taken or sent to the home of the patient when
required.
The service is freely available to all having home confinements, provided
there are no medical contra-indications. and each expectant mother
on booking the midwife is supplied with a leaflet explaining the nature and
the availability of the service.

All patients booked tor admission to the Maternity Hospital are
medically examined at the Ante-Natal Clinics, the first appointment
normally being made at the 16th week of pregnancy.
The Consulting Obstetrician or his Deputy continued to visit the
Ante-Natal Clinic twice weekly. During the year 103 sessions were held
and a total of 1,249 examinations were made.
Post-Natal Clinics.—All patients confined in the Ilford Maternitv
Hospital and other patients on request are invited to attend the Post-Natal
Clinics for the first time approximately six weeks after confinement.