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74
Dr. Wilks states that the Ante-natal Centre justifies its existence
over and over again, and makes the importance of ante-natal
care and examination very manifest.
A mother attending the Infant Consultation Centre with her
babies was repeatedly warned by the Health Visitors of the necessity
of ante-natal examination, but she failed to attend. At the
confinement a serious abnormality was discovered too late, and
the poor woman died.
Another mother warned of an abnormality in the position of
the baby failed to enter a Hospital as advised, and lost her baby,
to her bitter disappointment.
On the other hand, babies have been saved. For instance,
one woman gave a history of a first baby still-born at full term:
a year or two ago she attended the Centre, and was advised to
enter a Hospital for the confinement, as her pelvis was slightly
contracted. She failed to take advice and the second child also was
still-born. During her third pregnancy she attended the Centre and
arrangements were made for her to enter a Hospital for the confinement,
with the result that she now has a healthy, living child.
Two cases of tumour have been discovered—one case after
being watched during the whole of pregnancy was admitted to
Hospital for Caesarian Section, but operation, in the end proved
unnecessary, and manipulations enabled her child to be born by the
natural path.
There are many instances of women in poor health who have
been cared for at the Centre and have become well and strong
before the confinement. As an example of these numerous cases
one may take a poor woman with Heart Disease, who, very ill
at her first attendance, has gradually regained her usual health
and has lately had a well nourished baby.
With reference to the arrangements for the supply of free
milk, Dr. Wilks states that the present income scale places the