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9
Under the scheme for providing dental treatment, 22 expectant mothers received treatment
at the Dental Clinic, the total attendances being 50.
At the request of the West Middlesex Hospital, investigation was made of the environmental
conditions of 4 women who had applied for admission to the Maternity Block at that Hospital.
Milk was supplied either free or at less than cost price to 16 expectant mothers. .
An arrangement exists whereby expectant mothers, for whom special observation or
treatment is required, can be admitted to Queen Charlotte's Hospital, London.
'
Birth Control.
Facilities are available which enable women, for whom pregnancy is inadvisable for
mcdical reasons, to obtain the necessary advice at a Birth Control Clinic in London.
Care of mothers during confinement.
The Corporation have not established a Maternity Home, and in view of the proximity
of the West Middlesex Hospital, no formal arrangement has been made with any hospital for the
reception of Complicated or difficult cases. No request has been received during the year for the
services of a consultant in cases of difficult labour.
Subsequent to Confinement.
No application was made during the year for the services of a consultant in cases of
puerperal pyrexia, although these services are provided if necessary. The explanation of this is
that Medical Practitioners usually send these cases into hospital for treatment at an early stage
instead of waiting until the case is well established. During the year 4 cases of these diseases
were admitted to West Middlesex Hospital and to the Isolation Block of Queen Charlotte's
Hospital. This is a procedure which has been encouraged in every way, and the attention of
Medical Practitioners has been called to the facilities for the treatment of these cases which are
available. This appears to be one of the most valuable measures in preventing maternal mortality
or diminishing morbidity.
A special Clinic for the examination of mothers after confinement has not been established
although several mothers attended at the Ante-Natal Clinic for this purpose. I understand
that a considerable number of the mothers who have beeruconfined in West Middlesex Hospital,
attended at that Hospital for examination after their confinement.
Milk was supplied to three necessitous nursing mothers.
Dental treatment was provided in approved cases for nursing mothers as follows:—
Number of cases 9
Total attendances 29
Dentures supplied. 8
Health Visitors.
The Health Visitors called at the homes of 718 out of the 790 live births notified. Visits of
enquiry were also made in the case of six still births and eleven deaths of infants.
The visits paid to homes by the Health Visitors during the year included the following :—
To expectant mothers 225
To children under one year of age 3592
To children between the ages of 1 and 5 years 5201
Owing to the increase in the population, the appointment of an additional Health Visitor
became necessary. Pending the opening of the new Clinic at Whitton, it was decided to engage
the services of the fourth Health Visitor on a part-time basis and to appoint a whole-time officer
on the completion of the Clinic.
Winter School.
One of the Health Visitors attended a study course during the winter. With the increase
of the Health visiting staff it will be necessary to increase the number of nurses sent each year
as it is of the utmost importance that they shall be kept conversant with developments in
Maternity and Child Welfare work and refresh their knowledge of existing methods.