View report page

In the second large group, those suffering from chronic
rheumatic conditions, cases showed a varying degree of crippling
due to pain and muscular spasm, in many cases there being a total
incapacity to follow their usual occupations. This incapacity is
bound to have far reaching effects on the patient's family as a
whole, as it reduces the family income for long and recurring
periods. Our results in the treatment of these cases have been
excellent. In most cases, after a period of light and radiant heat
treatment crippling disappears; and later, with treatment combined
with massage in cases to promote absorption of fibrotic
nodules or bands, functional capacity returns.
It is realised that treatment is not a cure as has been emphasised
in previous reports, but it does prevent more serious development
in early cases, and it maintains functional capacity in the
more advanced cases, which is important from the occupational
point of view, as many of the sufferers from these maladies become
totally unemployable.
During the year 19 cases of alopecia completed treatment.
Of these 7 cases were cured and 10 showed very definite improvement.
Acne was found to respond well to treatment by ultra-violet
light. Many of these cases had previously had prolonged treatment
of varying forms, including vaccines, without apparent
benefit; 6 cases completed treatment during the year, and of
these 5 were greatly improved and 1 was cured.