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Fair complexion children re-act quickly; erythema and
irritation being produced by small exposures. Pigmentation in
these cases is slight.
Dark complexion children do not show signs of erythema
easily, but usually show signs of slight pigmentation early, and
then deep pigmentation is produced. There is not so much
irritation as in cases of fair complexioned children.
Several cases of red-haired children have been treated
during the year, and it has been found that by increasing the
dose more slowly than in the ordinary case, and by keeping the
child at a greater distance from the light, the skin can take
the light quite well. Greater care is needed in the case of the
sandy-haired, white-eyebrow type, than with the dark red-haired
child.
Irritation and dryness of the skin of the face after treatment
in cold or windy weather is a common feature. To
overcome this, pieces of cardboard are placed in front of the
child's face to protect it from the rays and vaseline is used on
the skin before going out into the cold. The reaction of the
skin when a child resumes treatment after being absent for a
time varies. If the child himself has been well, but has been
kept away on account of illness at home or other reasons, it
has been noticed that the skin can almost take the same length
of dosage as before the absence without skin reaction. If the
child has been ill, when resuming treatment, erythema is usually
produced at a much reduced exposure.
Three cases have been treated in which no pigmentation
occurred, although the treatment extended for months. Two of
the cases were mother and daughter. All had very white, rather
greasy skins ; erythema was frequently produced, also irritation,
but no pigmentation resulted.
It was observed in cases of Rickets where the teething
was backward, that after treatment, the teeth appeared to cut
quickly. One child of 14 months had only 5 teeth on commencing
treatment ; after 3 weeks 4 more teeth had been out.
and a further 2 during the next two weeks. At the end of
3 month's treatment the child had 14 teeth. Another child of
11 months had no teeth, but cut 4 during the first month's
treatment.