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124
My investigations lead me to the following opinion:—
Actino-Therapy is as yet in its infancy, and the subject is not an
easy one; indeed, it is difficult for any one, except a skilled physicist,
to understand the technicalities and highly scientific statements. The
claims made on behalf of ultra-violet ray are comprehensive, and they
deserve the fullest investigation and examination, among these claims
are the following:—
(a) That diseases can be cured: for instance, tuberculosis in the
bones, skin and joints.
(b) And that general body metabolism can be increased, and thus
benefit be given to weak and ailing children.
(c) That many other diseases may be relieved.
The immediate proposition before the Council was, that one of its
Swimming Baths should be converted into a Light Bath. In this
connection it had to be borne in mind that the Loudon County Council
had considered artificial sunlight treatment, and that the following
statements occurred in the Annual Report of the Medical Officer of
Health for the London County Council:—
" It may be reasonably claimed that the value of such treatment
" in suitable cases is proved, but that the knowledge and experience
" of to-day are insufficient to define accurately the limits of the
" usefulness of the two forms of ' light' treatment "
" Such treatment in the case of surgical tuberculosis is still to some
" extent in its experimental stage, and whilst, in competent hands,
" and in selected cases, it is considered to be a very valuable factor in
" treatment, it must be regarded merely as an addition to other
" methods of treatment. It appears not to be suitable in all types of
" cases of pulmonary tuberculosis The Public Health
" Committee is investigating the possibility of arranging for a large
" scale test of artificial light treatment under satisfactory conditions
" in association with the Education Committee and in consultation
" with the Ministry of Health."
After careful consideration I formed the conclusion, and reported
accordingly, that the matter of treatment of disease by artificial light is
still in the experimental stage; that much had been claimed for this
treatment which was not yet proved; that further knowledge was
necessary as regards possible dangers from ultra-violet rays; and that
the subject needs further investigation.
The Council having expressed their agreement with these views,
decided to take no further action in the matter of equipping one of the
swimming baths as a Light bath. They have since resolved to submit