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139
K. Was greatly retarded by an almost fatal illness at birth, causing
profound anaemia. She came to us about 18 months behind her real age and
long courses have considerably improved, though they have not brought
her up to date.
The remaining cases in this group were of mild type. The only child
not improved, among the rickets, attended but 4 times and thus had no
chance of success.
2. Disturbed Dentition.
About half of our teething children are thoroughly ill when sent for
U.V.R. Exhaustion from lack of sleep, diarrhoea, eczema, severe
catarrh, otitis and other disorders are commonly met here. The stronger
half come with loss of weight and very poor appetite, but remain lively
and active throughout dentition.
Results in all are highly encouraging. I can even describe U.V.R.
as invaluable in dentition in the type of case we here deal with. My
remarks anent this natural process apply, of course, to our children here,
for whom ideal surroundings are unobtainable.
3. Malnutrition and, Debility.
These conditions inevitably overlap, and I consider them together,
though a few young infants were cases of malnutrition.
In some elders a cause for prolonged failure in weight and general
malaise has been sought and found, and these children I have sent elsewhere
for treatment as required. Others, from 18 months to 3 years of
age, arrived in very low condition from nothing else than jealousy of the
baby. Sometimes open, often masked, even from the patient, I think,
this obsession reduces the infant surprisingly in health and spirits.
Rapid improvement, and usually cure, took place in our department.
I attribute the good effect here partly to radiation, a physical tonic, and
partly to the fresh mental atmosphere and interest supplied to them.
For the latter I have to thank the Sister-in-Charge and her assistant.
The majority of cases in these two large groups responded well on the
whole, as the figures indicate.
4. Bronchitis.
Better results than in previous years have been attained and I hope
we may have more cases of chronic bronchitis sent to us.