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36
The following report has been received from Dr. R. Cove-Smith on the work carried out at
the Centre:—
By far the most significant episode of the year's work was the move made to the new premises
of the Borough Health Centre at 283a, Harrow Road in June. Here, through the generosity
of the Council new equipment has been installed with a Centrosol lamp capable of giving UltraViolet
Light treatment to a dozen cases at a time instead of merely in twos and threes as heretofore,
while a Duo-Therapy lamp is also available whereby individual treatments of Ultraviolet
Light, Radiant Heat and Infra Red Therapy can be given.
The more powerful lamp with its increased output and greater adaptability has already
increased the scope of the work and there is every reason to suppose that this will grow as the
possibilities of the treatment become more widely known.
One hundred and three sessions have been held, with an average attendance of 39 patients,
and 220 cases have been treated (of which 157 were new). These cases have had the following
types of treatment:—
Ultra-Violet Light Treatment 67
Ultra-Violet Light and Massage Treatment 78
Massage Treatment 59
Dietetic advice 16
and the total number of treatments given were:—
Ultra-Violet Light 2,520
Massage 2,387
Toddlers' Clinic.
Numberof Sessions 51
Number of Cases 354 (of which 233 were new).
Number of Attendances 1,327
Average Attendance per Session 26
Dr. C. T. Potter's report for the year is as follows:—
"At the Toddlers' Clinic provision is made for the medical examination of children of preschool
age. Any abnormalities are noted and if treatment is necessary the cases are referred
to their doctor or to hospital, or other departments of the Centre.
The abnormalities requiring attention included malnutrition, dyspepsia, anaemia, septic
tonsils and adenoids, cervical adenitis, naso-pharyngeal catarrh, bronchitis, squint, errors of
refraction, carious teeth, stomatitis, enuresis, catarrhal jaundice, nervous exhaustion and tics,
knock-knee, flat-foot.
Many of these children were referred to other departments for massage and sunlight treatment,
and convalescence arranged when necessary."
Denial Clinic.—Following upon the decision of the Council to institute a dental clinic in connection
with the new welfare centre, Mr. P. A. Crow, L.D.S., R.C.S.(Eng.), was appointed Visiting
Dental Officer, and the first session was held on the 8th August. Dr. S. Denovan Adam acts as
anaesthetist.

The following report has been received from Mr. Crow:—
"Statistics make dull reading, but it will be appreciated that after a longer period it should
be possible to deduce interesting information from them. Suffice at present to note that of the
number of patients presenting themselves for examination, not one adult was free from the
need for treatment, and only three or four of the very youngest children had not developed
caries or other dental ailment.
Owing to practical difficulties, not the least of which is the moving population of the Borough,
it will always be difficult to assess improvement in the Dental Health of those residents enjoying
the amenities of the Health Services. It is hoped, however, that after a few years the benefits
of prophylactic treatment and advice will be felt, and that there will be relatively less 'destructivecum-reparative'
dentistry, and a greater proportion of more truly conservative work.
At present the extensive extractions and replacements so often required in an expectant
mother are cited to her as an example of what can be avoided in her child; and as often as possible
she is advised on matters of diet, retention of deciduous teeth, and so on. It is hoped to extend
the scope of this preventive aspect of the work.
It is a pleasure to report the helpful co-operation of all concerned with the Dental Clinic,
from Borough Administrators to the immediate assistants in the surgery. To the latter, Dr.
Adam, Miss Newington, Miss Candler, and Miss Bathgate especial thanks are due, for being so
much more than just efficient: for creating that atmosphere of kindness, quickly sensed by the
patients, which will banish the traditional 'horror of dentistry' from this Dental Clinic."