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It will be noted that the largest number is that under the
heading of Rickets. Of these only 30, however, could be classed as
gross rickets. The rest manifested only the milder forms of this
disease such as flabby muscles, delayed dentition, late closing of the
anterior fontanelle, etc.
Great enthusiasm was shown by the mothers for Light treatment
when the clinic was first opened and it was difficult to persuade
some mothers that their children did not require Light treatment,
but as the novelty has worn off many have ceased attending. Of
the total 250 children treated, 61 ceased attending before treatment
was completed. The 3 main causes of this dropping off were:—
(a) Lack of effort on the part of the mother to persevere with
treatment;
(b) the children being spoilt and refusing to wear the shades
and generally being out of the control of the mother; and
(c) the home duties of the mothers being of so exacting a
nature that time could not be spared to bring one
member of the family for treatment twice a week.
Generally speaking, however, the majority of the mothers have
persevered with treatment and the increasing number of patients
will necessitate the duplication of sessions in the near future.
The children under 1 year seemed to respond most readily to
Light treatment and progressed so favourably that they could be
discharged quite well after 1 or 2 courses of treatment, the thin
"nervy" children between 1 and 5 years have been most difficult
to treat successfully; and in many cases because of increased restlessness
and sleeplessness treatment has either had to be suspended or
given in much smaller doses than usual.
VI.—Toddlers' Clinics.
In accordance with the provision made by the Council
following on the Ministry of Health Circular 1550, two Toddlers'
Clinics were established in the Borough in September, 1937. The
one at the Health Centre, Lewisham, has been held every Monday