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had a relatively higher number of failures it is interesting to note that those children
who did become dry did not figure among the relapses at follow¬up.
The results generally seem to be satisfactory in that a favourable response within a
short time was obtained in 81 per cent of the children treated. Allowing for children
who relapsed into wetness and those who failed to maintain an improvement the
overall response at follows-up was favourable in 68 per cent with a cure rate of 53
per cent. Despite some limitations the electric alarm seems likely to remain a popular
treatment by reason of offering a cure or improvement to a majority within a comparatively
short time.
Summary
A scheme has been described for the treatment of enuresis by means of the electric
buzzer apparatus in a local authority area with a school child population of 30,000.
The apparatus is constructed and serviced by a member of the area health office
staff.
The machine is demonstrated in the child's home by a senior health visitor who also
does the follow¬up visits.
Follow¬up visits at least six months after the end of treatment showed that 68 per
cent of the children had responded favourably, 53 per cent being completely dry.
Acknowledgements
I wish to express my thanks to Dr. G. S. Wigley, County Medical Officer of Health,
Middlesex, for permission to publish this article and to Dr. W. G. Booth, Joint Area
Medical Officer, Area No. 7, Middlesex County Council, for his encouragement and
advice during its preparation. I am also indebted to Miss C. M. Gwynne, Deputy
Superintendent Health Visitor, who has carried out all the visiting and kept careful
records, and to Mr. P. V. Wallis, Administrative Officer, who has designed and made
the machines and supplied the electrical details. I wish to thank also those of my
colleagues who have made helpful comments and criticisms.
(Any expression of opinion in this article is that of the author and does not necessarily
reflect the views of the Middlesex County Council.)
References
Wickes, I. G. (1958): Treatment of persistent enuresis with the electric buzzer. Arch.
Dis. Child, 33, 160-4.
Gillison, T. H., and Skinner, J. L. (1958): Treatment of nocturnal enuresis by the
electric alarm. Brit. Med. ii, 1268-72.
Metcalfe, J. B. (1959): "Do-it-yourself" enuresis alarm. Ibid ii, 1488.
EALING CHILD GUIDANCE CENTRE
Dr. P. Holman, Consultant Psychiatrist, reports that 189 patients were referred to
the Centre in 1963, which is little different from the number the previous year (168).
It is gratifying to be able to report that there has been an increased interest taken in
the work of the Centre by the medical, educational and social services, the resultant
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