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43
Solarium.
The Light Treatment centre was established at Southlands
in 1929.
The Centre is housed in a portion of the Southlands building
which has been specially adapted and equipped for the purpose.
The equipment consists of:—
2 carbon arc lamps. 4 general radiation lamps.
2 mercury vapour lamps. 4 couches.
During the year 120 sessions were held for patients from the
maternity and child welfare clinics, the number of patients on the
roll at the end of the year being 8. The total attendances numbered
1,426, the average number per session being 11.9. A medical
officer attended 17 of the sessions, at which she conducted 195
examinations.
The number of persons who received treatment during the
year (excluding tuberculous children) was 52, including 10 who
commenced treatment in 1934.
The ages of the 42 new cases who attended first in 1935 were
as follows:—
Under 1 year 8
1 to 2 years 26
2 to 3 „ 8
The reasons for their treatment were:—
Prevention of Rickets 34
Debility 8
Treatment in these cases was by the mercury vapour lamps.
Arrangements are made for massage treatment of children
attending the light treatment centre immediately after their
treatment by light.
Particulars relating to tuberculous patients treated at the
Clinic during the year will be found on page 66.
Massage Treatment.
For many years the Council have provided facilities in suitable
cases for massage treatment for children attending their various
centres. A competent masseuse gives treatment four times
weekly either at the Southlands centre or at her home. A
charge of one shilling per treatment is made, but this is borne
in whole or in part by the Council in necessitous cases. The charge
to be made in individual cases is assessed in accordance with the
scale used for the grant of milk to necessitous mothers and children.
A masseuse is specially engaged for the children attending the
Mundella Road centre.