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39
CLINICS.
Dr. Sheppard reports as follows:—
"During the first eight months of 1939, the progress of
Maternity and Child Welfare in the Borough was very favourable.
"Serious depletion of the Staff was caused in the early days of
the war through evacuation and A.R.P. duties. The Welfare work
was, nevertheless, not permitted to suser.
"The drift back of mothers and babies began in a week or two
and in a very short time the numbers attending the Centres were
almost normal.
"The mothers of Walthamstow are to be congratulated that all
through the very anxious period at the end of 1939 the Maternity
and Child Welfare Committee kept their Services running as usual,
although hampered by the need for giving help to the Reception
Areas.
"The black-out was another difficulty, but that was overcome by
the Staff shortening their dinner hour and opening all the Centres by
1.30 p.m. so that the mothers could have every attention and yet
be able to leave in time to reach home before dark.
"Thanks are due to the voluntary workers who so ably assisted
the Staff during the year and especially during those difficult months
at the commencement of the war."
Ante-Natal and Post-Natal Services.

The total number of new patients attending the Clinics represent
the following percentages of total notified births (live and
still):—
Ante-Natal, 67.5; Post-Natal, 24.9.
Apart from the patients receiving ante- and post-natal care
under the Municipal Scheme, most of the remaining expectant and
nursing mothers have received ante- and post-natal medical care,
either at a hospital or from a private practitioner.