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41
It may be mentioned here that a stock of maternity outfits is maintained at the Town Hall
and at the clinics. Each parcel contains all sterilised dressings, etc., likely to be required for use at
a confinement in a private house, and may be obtained by any expectant mother or midwife at a cost
now of two shillings.
The following is a record of the work done at the ante-natal clinics during the year:—
Clinic.
Number of
Sessions.
Number of Patients.
Number of
Attendances.
New.
Total.
92, Greyhound Road
90
252
591
1,574
170, Wandsworth Bridge Road
51
144
874
Parsons Green
22
110
611
Totals
163
506
591
3,059
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM
Ophthalmia neonatorum—inflammation in the eyes of the new-born—is a disease which does
much harm to the eyes of new-born infants, if infection be contracted at the time of birth, as may
occur unless careful precautions are taken.
When a midwife is in charge of a case, any eye discharge occurring in the infant is required
to be notified by her to her local supervising authority, which in London is the London County Council ;
she must also call in a doctor who, if necessary, notifies the Medical Officer of Health. When a case
of this kind is notified, the Health Visitor calls immediately, and any necessary treatment is arranged
for.
EYE AND SKIN DEFECTS
Cases of eye defects in mothers and children are dealt with by the London County Council
oculist at the Bagley's Lane Centre, and this has proved a convenient arrangement. Children
attending the clinics regularly, who are found to be suffering from any skin condition requiring attention,
are referred to the London County Council local School Treatment Centres also. No contagious
or infectious disease is allowed in the clinics.
MASSAGE CLINIC
It was with deep regret that early in the year we learned that Miss Christian Wickham would,
for an indefinite period, be unable to carry on her massage clinic, and we are still without her valued
services as this Report goes to press; but we hope that she may find it possible to resume this very
useful work for the mothers and babies of Fulham.
For three months Miss Bevington undertook this responsibility at Bishop Creighton House, so
during part of the year massage work was efficiently carried on.
DENTAL CLINIC
When the new Health Centre was opened at Parsons Green, an extra dental session was inaugurated
there in addition to the one already being carried on at Greyhound Road. This has been
well attended.
During the year the Council gave financial dental assistance in 13 cases, in some instances
giving completely free dentures to regular clinic mothers. During the year 313 new cases attended,
making 1,002 total attendances; 232 persons had extractions and 51 had fillings carried out,
35 dentures also being supplied.