View report page

34
The figures in the above tables in respect of Argyle Square and Caversham Road
Centres are for three years only (1923-1925).
With reference to expectant mothers, it will be seen that the attendances varied from
1.1 to 4.7 per case, the visits paid to these mothers varied from 2.1 to 11.4 per case.
As regards children, the number of attendances per child varied from 12.9 to 23.2,
and the visits to the homes range from 9.6 to 34.7 per child.
Too strict a uniformity may not be advisable, but variations so great would appear to
be undesirable and steps are to be taken to remedy this.
Artificial Light Treatment.
A centre for providing this treatment was opened on February 24th, 1925, a lamp,
giving the necessary rays, having been presented to the Council by the Committee of the
"Save the Children Fund. In June, an anonymous donor presented two lamps of improved
type, and this generous gift has made it possible to treat a larger number of children, and
there is no longer the delay in dealing with cases which unavoidably existed when one lamp
only was available.
This was the first Municipal Light Centre to be opened in the Metropolis, and it has
been visited and inspected by representatives of many other authorities who contemplated
opening similar centres. In July, at the request of the Executive Committee of the National
Baby Week Council, permission was given for a large number of members and delegates of
the School of Maternity and Child Welfare to visit the centre.
The following report which has been presented to the Council gives particulars concerning
the centre and the work carried out from the date of opening up to December 31st,
1925:—
To the Chairman and Members of the
Maternity and Child Welfare Sub-Committee.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I beg to submit the following report on the work carried out at the Artificial Light Clinic
at South Higligate, from its commencement on February 24th to December 31st, 1925.
The Clinic was opened in order to provide this special treatment for children of the
Borough who were suffering from Rickets, Tuberculous Glands, Incipient Tuberculosis,
Delayed Development, Debility or other affections for which this form of treatment is indicated.
The children are selected from those who are attending the various Welfare Centres.
Medical Practitioners can also recommend suitable cases. As the work forms part of the Child
Welfare Scheme, it is necessarily limited to children under 5 years of age.
Staff.—Dr. William Beaumont, m.r.c.s., l.r.c.p., is in charge of the treatment. Prior to
his appointment, he had experience in this work when acting as Clinical Assistant in the Light
Department of the London Hospital.
The nursing staff consists of the Superintendent of the Centre, Miss G. R. Bristow, who is
assisted during the consultations by two Health Visitors from other Centres.
Lamps.—There are now three in use. One is a "Westminster" single open carbon arc,
working at 28 amps, across the single arc, and was presented by the Committee of the "Save
the Children" Fund; it has been in use since the opening of the Clinic.