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83
Orthopaedic Treatment.
(a) Ascertainment Clinic.— The Consultant
Orthopaedic Surgeon paid six visits to the district
during the year, when 89 children made 137 attendances.
Most children attended once only, 27 attended twice,
four three times, three four times and one five times.
The commonest conditions for which children were
referred were genu valgum, pes planus, bowed tibiae,
talipes and poliomyelitis. The cost allocated to this
Council was £19 9s. 11d.
(b) Massage Clinic.— The massage and remedial
exercises clinic was held twice weekly at the Ford
Road and Becontree Clinics. During the year, 199
children under school age received treatment at a cost
of £66 18s. 6d. making a total of 670 attendances. Most
cases were referred on account of flat foot, knock knee
or bowed legs.
(c) Provision of Appliances.— A member of the staff
of a firm of instrument makers usually attends on the
Monday following the visit of the Orthopaedic Surgeon,
to take measurements of those children requiring surgical
appliances. The Local Authority assists in payment
for these according to the financial circumstances of the
family. Four appliances were supplied at a total cost
of £7 15s. 9d.
(d) Hospital Treatment.— Four children were sent
to hospital for operative treatment at a total cost of
£77 7s. 0d.
Ultra Violet Ray Therapy.
Light treatment is carried out at the Becontree and
Dagenham Clinics, two sessions being held weekly at
each of the premises. The cases treated are referred from
the Infant Welfare Centres and all children are seen by
the Medical Officer every fortnight. A few children of