M 116
Notes on a few cases of interest are appended. They are illustrative of many treated at the clinics.
Case No. 1.—Woman aged 44 years. Married 27 years, with a total of 15 pregnancies, including one twin pregnancy and 2 miscarriages. Now has 6 children living. Husband is a sailor earning $15 per month. Patient was given free treatment.
Case No. 2.—Woman aged 31 years. Married 14 years, with 9 pregnancies and of which 3 were miscarriages. 5 children now living. Husband is a casual carpenter earning $7 per month. Had sponge and foam powder given her previously in Hong Kong after the 8th pregnancy. Was given cap and jelly free.
Case No. 3.—Woman aged 31 years. Married 11 years with 10 pregnancies. 5 children now living. Fitted with diaphragm and jelly.
Case No. 4.—Woman aged 34 years. Married 15 years with 8 pregnancies. 7 children born alive, but only one now living. Mother showed evidence of tuberculosis, nephritis and mitral stenosis. Father unemployed.
Case No. 5.—Woman aged 37 years. Married 19 years, with 11 pregnancies, of which there were 4 miscarriages. 7 children were born alive, 6 are now living. Husband is a coolie, earning $5 per month. Given free treatment.
Case No. 6.—Woman aged 44 years. Married 25 years, with a total of 14 pregnancies, of which 3 were miscarriages. Now has 7 children living, of whom she has given away one. Is desperately anxious to avoid further pregnancies. Husband is unemployed, and has been taking Chinese pills to render himself sterile. Patient was examined and diagnosed as (?) early pregnancy, and advised to return after one month for confirmation. Unfortunately she did not return, until two months later but informed us that she had succeeded in aborting herself after taking some concoction of wild flowers boiled with rusty nails, putrefied eggs and urine. Had now returned for contraceptive advice. Her general health was very poor and she was referred to hospital for general treatment.
Case No. 7.—Woman aged 38 years. Married 24 years, with 11 pregnancies, of which 10 were born alive and 1 miscarried. Now has 7 children living, of which she has given away 3 owing to extreme poverty. Husband is a tailor earning $12 per month. Patient was in very bad health, anaemic and suffering from general debility. She was referred to hospital for further treatment.
Case No. 8.—Woman aged 37 years. Married 19 years with a total of 10 pregnancies, of which 6 are now living. Husband out of work. Has been using some vaginal tablets to ensure contraception without effect. She desired complete sterilization and objected to our methods as entailing too much bother. Patient was not treated.
Appendix IV.
REPORT ON THE ALMONER'S DEPARTMENT FOR 1939.
The Almoner's or Social Service Department was founded in July and work began immediately at the Queen Mary Hospital. In November, four Chinese training almoners were appointed on three month's probation with a view to at least two of them being employed in government hospitals.