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68
cases, patients with any serious abnormality can be referred to the
Consultant Obstetrician at Thorpe Coombe Maternity Hospital.
A letter of advice was sent to every Rhesus negative expectant
mother enclosing an explanatory booklet. The latter stressed the
need for the examination of the husband's blood and the special
steps necessary if a home confinement was insisted upon.
There were 7 Rhesus negatives and all Kahn tests were negative.
The total of blood tests was 49—first tests 43 mothers and 1
father, and in addition 4 confirmatory tests and 1 for haemoglobin
only.
The groupings were A.18, B.3, O.21 and AB.l. Hæmoglobin
estimations showed the following results:—
100+ = nil 60—69 = 4
90—99 = 6 50—59 = nil
80—89 = 22 40—49 = nil
70—79 = 10
i.e., 4 or 9.5% were under 70.
Instructions to midwives require that where haemoglobin
estimations were found to be 65% or less, patients should be
referred to their family doctors with a request that they might be
sent back for a re-estimation of haemoglobin after 4/6 weeks.
Family doctors undertaking maternity medical services have been
advised that blood specimens could be taken from their patients
either at an ante-natal clinic or a weekly clinic at the Town Hall.
Routine chest X-ray examination is always advised and carried
out if the expectant mother agrees. During the year, 906 patients
were referred to the Chest Clinic from Thorpe Coombe, and 62
from other ante-natal clinics. Two were found suitable for treatment
and confined at the special unit at Black Notley Sanatorium.
Ante-Natal Clinics.
Details of ante-natal clinics held in Walthamstow are given on
page 73 of this Report.
Relaxation Classes.
Relaxation classes have been continued at Markhouse Road
Welfare Centre on Tuesdays at 2 p.m., at West Avenue Welfare
Centre at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, and at Silverdale Road Health
Services Clinic on Thursdays at 2 p.m.
These classes prepare the mother for her confinement and
considerable benefit can be derived from them. Talks are given
at the classes by specially trained health visitors and these talks
include preparations for confinement and layette, advice on suitable
clothing and footwear, personal hygiene and explanation of the