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97
nurses. It is however an additional advantage to the patients that we
have now three very suitable fully trained nurses, as well as the Matron
and Sister.
To meet the possibility of any serious emergency arising in the
Home, it was felt necessary to appoint a consultant who might be
called in, in a case of extreme danger or difficulty, or where any
abdominal operation was required. Although such a possibility is
generally guarded against by having all patients examined at the Antenatal
Clinic, it is not possible to prevent accidental complications.
Arrangements for having as consultant a member of the visiting staff
of the King's College Hospital were still under discussion when the
year ended.
Dr. Hills' very clear Report does not require much amplification,
still a few notes may be added to complete the tale.
Sewing Class. Our one outstanding need is a mending, knitting
and sewing class for mothers, such as 1 saw at the Jewish Maternity
Home, Whitechapel and at Ampthill Square. At Whitechapel a paid
teacher conducts these classes on Monday and Wednesday from 2 to
4.30 p.m. Primiparæ are required to attend, and if the "young
expectant" fails to come a friendly visit is made to the home to
encourage her. Primiparae attend during the last five months of
pregnancy and receive sixteen lectures or demonstrations in knitting
and sewing. Material is bought wholesale and is sold at cost price.
The expectant mother does not commence making baby's clothes until
she has shown proficiency at knitting and sewing. Some twenty-three
attend this class at a time. The mothers make knitted vests, long
sleeves, open double-breasted front; long flannel double-breasted robes
and night-gowns and knitted belts: flannel jackets. Patterns for short
clothes are given to the mothers to take home after they leave the
Maternity Home.
At the St. Pancras School for Mothers, 1 Ampthill Square, I learned
that in connection with the needlework and knitting class, flannel and
wincey are bought in bulk and sold to the mothers at cost price. The
Superintendent keeps an account for each mother and collects the
money each week. The teacher is paid five shillings for each class.
The mothers look on at first and see a garment cut. The mother cuts
her own garment for baby while the Superintendent watches. General
knitting and sewing are taught.