London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
St Pancras 1925
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, Metropolitan Borough]
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The other two are "Alpine Sun" quadruple open carbon arc lamps, working at 16 amps,
across each arc, and were presented by an anonymous donor in June, 1925.
The current is direct, and the voltage 220.
Treatment.—Consultations of two hours' duration are held on Tuesday, Thursday and
Saturday from 11 to 1.
From the opening of the Clinic until December 31st, 1925, 118 consultations have been
held, 119 patients have been treated, and the attendances have numbered 2,559. Up to the
beginning of July, with only one lamp in use, the average attendance at each session was 15.
Since then, with three lamps, the average attendance has been 27. All patients, of whatever
clinical type, receive as a routine three exposures a week. Those exposed to the Alpine Sun
Lamps begin with 5 or 10 minutes, and this is increased to 20 minutes at each exposure.
The time of exposure to the Westminster Lamp gradually increases from 20 to 60 minutes.
The total number of exposures given to a patient has varied from 15 to 70 according to
the disease, the reaction and the degree of improvement obtained.
The number of patients treated, grouped according to their diseases, is shown in the following table:—
| Disease. | Number Treated. | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|
| Rickets | 48 | Indicated by bone manifestations. Late eruption of teeth. Delayed closure of Anterior Fontanelle. Alimentary manifestations. |
| Tuberculosis— Incipient | 6 | Patients losing weight, with occasional febrile attacks, general malaise, hectic pink and white complexion and rapid pulse were regarded as having Incipient Tuberculosis. |
| Glandular | 3 | |
| Bronchial Affections | 20 | These patients had repeated colds and attacks of bronchitis, but did not have large tonsils and adenoids or other obvious causes of this condition. |
| Nervous Instability | 8 | Sleepless, peevish children, but without signs of rickets, tuberculosis or mental deficiency. |
| Delayed Development | 11 | Children with delayed teething, walking or talking and with slow mentality, but without other signs of rickets. |
| Debility | 23 | Children whose nutrition is below normal, but who do not fall into any other group. |
| Total | 119 |
The following table gives particulars as to cases and attendances, and indicates the Centres
from which the children were sent:-