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92
Ringworm.
In the Annual Report for 1911, it was mentioned that a
scheme was in progress for treating certain cases of Ringworm
with the X-rays.
Dr. Arthur, of Ealing, formerly Radiographer to the West
London Hospital, agreed to treat selected cases sent from Acton
for the sum of £10 per annum, as this was the amount sanctioned
by the Council.
It happened that during 1911 there was a considerable increase
in the amount of ringworm existing in the district. This is partly
due to the etiology of the disease, as it is known to become almost
epidemic at intervals; and another source of infection lies in the
shifting nature of the population. It is, unfortunately, not
uncommon to receive fresh families into the district, where three
or four children of varying ages are all suffering with ringworm,
and these provide active foci of infection.
In July, 1911, Dr. Arthur pointed out that the number of
cases was so great that it was impossible to carry on the work
at the existing rate of remuneration; as only severe cases were
selected, a prolonged exposure to X-rays was necessary, requiring
considerable time and expenditure of material. Moreover, in one
instance, a child was unruly, and broke an expensive piece of
apparatus.
A fresh arrangement was therefore made and sanctioned, by
which children are treated at the rate of 10s. 6d. per case, and to
meet the increased cost of the treatment the charge of 2s. 6d. to
the parents has been raised to 5s. where parents can afford to
pay this sum.
During the past year, 33 cases have received this treatment,
and in every case the treatment has been completely successful.
It has been found of great value, as no other method results
in such speedy return to school.