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157
In addition to its immediate effects the work carried on in the light room
and the sun garden, which is also supervised by the sister-in-charge of
the light department, has an educational value of great importance.
Remedial Exercises.
Treatment by ultra-violet light in its various forms was begun at
this Centre in 1925. Its most constant effect on the children, which is
regularly commented on by the mothers, is an increase of muscle tone
and energy. As poorness of muscle tone is responsible for the great
majority of orthopaedic faults of childhood, it was decided ten years ago
to supplement the work of the light department by a remedial exercises
class. A highly-trained instructress was put in charge, and she attends
on two half-days each week. This class has proved a great success, the
work undertaken has gradually extended and now includes the following:—
(1) The remedial exercise class for children from 2\ to 5 years
who are referred for treatment on account of faulty posture, knockknees,
everted feet, and other minor orthopaedic defects.
(2) Individual treatment to infants and children too young for
the class, or requiring special treatment for other reasons. Here we
include occasional cases of infantile paralysis, birth palsies, club
feet, and torticollis; but only on the written request of a hospital
authority, when the hospital is at too great a distance to make attendance
there possible.
(3) Children who have had their tonsils and adenoids removed
attend for breathing exercises, in order to restore normal nasal
respiration and improve the expansion of the chest.
The mothers are usually present while the instruction is given in
order that they may continue the exercises at home.
During the year 88 children were treated, and the total attendance
was 982. In addition, two mothers were treated for laxity of the
abdominal wall following childbirth.
A. G. HAMILTON,
M.D., F.R.C.S.