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17 much improved.
In the Rachitic group 32 improved.
5 no change.
The first and most striking change in these children was an increase
in muscular strength and activity. In early Rickets head sweating
ceases after a few treatments. This is the clinical sign most easy to
record.
To questions whether they noticed any change in the children produced
by the treatment, the mothers made various statements. 43 stated the
children were "more lively" or words to that effect. "Better appetite,"
11. "Better tempered," 9. "Brighter," 6. "Fewer colds," 3.
The question of "colds" leads, in the report, to a discussion on the
close association between Rickets and the liability to contract catarrhal
infections. The author finds the Rachitic and Catarrhal groups overlap
a good deal.
His conclusion that clinically ultra-violet radiation does not benefit
rachitic infants, who suffer from unhealthy tonsils and adenoids, is
disappointing. At best, progress is slow. One obvious reason is that
repeated catarrhs interfere with systematic attendance for treatment.
Better results are obtained if light is used after the tonsils and adenoids
have been removed, but the exact value to be attributed to the operation
and to the light must be difficult to assess. In the Catarrhal group
(without Rickets) a number was noted to be suffering from the same handicap,
and some had to submit to surgical removal. There are no figures
to prove the catarrhs were lessened by light treatment. The improvement,
when noted, was in the child's general condition.
3 much improved.
7 improved.
1 no change.
In the fourth and fifth groups interesting and encouraging results
are recorded.