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the work of this department is concerned with the prevention and cure
of rickets. This disease continues to be the most common cause of illhealth
in infancy, and is responsible—directly and indirectly—for a high
percentage of the infant mortality and morbidity during the early years
of life. Light treatment can play only a small, though not an unimportant,
part in the cure of rickets. A well-balanced diet, the administration of
cod—or halibut—liver oil, and general hygienic measures are as necessary
to-day as they were before Dr. Kurt Huldchinsky discovered the effects
of ultra-violet light on rickets.
As a preventive measure against rickets, artificial sunlight is valuable,
but we find it difficult to persuade the mothers to attend regularly when
their infants are apparently well. In any case it would be impossible to
adopt this treatment as a prophylactic measure for all infants attending
the Clinics, for the numbers and the cost would make it prohibitive.
With the exception of rickets, we find the group labelled "Debility
after illness'' the most responsive to this form of treatment.
As usual the Light Room was closed during June, July and August,
and the attendances in the Garden show that the space, fresh air and
sunshine do not go unappreciated in this district of crowded houses and
dangerous streets.
Remedial Exercises.
Total number of Children 91
„ „ attendances 986
Average attendance 10.8
Number of sessions 93
The majority of these children were recommended for the treatment
of the minor deformities which result from poorness of muscle tone—
round shoulders, lordosis, knock-knees and everted feet. The skilled
instructress also gives exercises to restore normal respiration to those
children who have been operated on for the removal of tonsils and adenoids.
A few cases of infantile paralysis, birth palsies, club-foot and wry-neck
have been treated on the written request of a hospital authority.
A.G. HAMILTON, M.D., F.R.C.S.