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resistance 44 ohms; the current used is direct, 240 volts. Dr. Gere
has treated 111 cases successfully this year, the length of time required
for treatment varying from 4 weeks in skin diseases to 6
months in that troublesome condition, Rickets.
An arrangement has been made with the British Red Cross Clinic,
Dalston Lane, to supply Dr. Gere with X-Ray photographs of the
Rickets cases, so that the improvement in the bone condition can be
noted. Dr. Gere has also had good results following the irradiation of
dried milk. It is hoped also to arrange for X-Ray examination of
expectant mothers at the Hackney Hospital in those cases where the
Clinic medical officers suspect the presence of twins or other unusual
type of pregnancy.
The value of the Dental Clinic has also been proved beyond question
by the results of the year's working. Dental work of every
description, including the fitting of dentures and the necessary treatment
for some very severe cases, has been most satisfactorily carried
out. Cases of such severity as to require a general anaesthetic which
was administered by Dr. Montague Smith numbered 157, and a local
anaesthetic was required in 45 cases.
Dentures were fitted to 65 nursing and expectant mothers at a
total cost of £120 16s. 0d., £56 12s. 6d. being recovered in
contributions.
An additional weekly session was approved for Lower Clapton
Ante-Natal Centre, and at this Centre, the largest in the Borough,
Dr. Gere persuaded the midwives to carry out a scheme of exchange
of information between Centre and midwife. The other centres have
since adopted the same arrangement, which, in my opinion, will be of
the greatest value in the direction of ascertaining the causes, not only
of maternal mortality, but also of the numerous disabilities that
sometimes arise as the result of child-birth.
During the year it was considered that the premises at Overbury
Street were undesirable as an Infant Welfare and Maternity Centre,
and that better arrangements would be made at Pedro Street Settlement,
Rushmore Road. After certain alterations had been made,
and the approval of the Ministry of Health obtained, the transfer of
the work at this new Centre was carried out on 11th October.
The question of Maternal Mortality was considered by the
Maternity and Child Welfare Committee in June, 1928, in connection
with Circular 888 of the Ministry of Health, which suggested that
there should be an investigation in every area by a competent and
experienced Medical Officer of all Maternal Deaths and of all cases
of Puerperal Fever, with a view to ascertaining more exactly the
actual causes which lead to Maternal Mortality in order to provide