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had 11 teeth and at 20 months 16 teeth. Had these two children received
a course of ultra violet radiation as advised, the improvement in dentition
would have been attributed to the treatment.
General Debility (6 cases).
The remaining six cases were given ultra violet radiation in order to
improve their general condition. Two had abdominal symptoms—enlarged
glands with attacks of diarrhoea. Three were underweight and
restless children with poor appetites. The sixth child was suffering from
debility following whooping cough and broncho pneumonia. In all six
cases definite improvement followed ultra violet radiation.
Convalescent Home Treatment.
During the year 24 children recommended by the Clinic Medical
Officers were sent to Convalescent Homes by the Maternity and
Child Welfare Authority through the agency of the Invalid Childrens'
Aid Association.
Dr. Menzies has submitted the following clinical observations on
the children recommended by her for convalescence during the
year
The periods of convalescence varied from three to fourteen weeks
except in one special case. This was a case of congenital dislocation of the
hip which was taken over from West Ham Maternity and Child Welfare
Authority after three months convalescence. After the child had a further
period of seven months' convalescence the parents returned to West Ham
and the case was therefore transferred back to West Ham. The hip was
then in plaster and the condition was greatly improved.
No child was recommended for less than four weeks, although two
children were discharged at the parents' request after three weeks. Unfortunately,
both were children who ought to have had at least two months
rest from their parents. In the first case the mother gave an inaccurate
account of the child's habits, and in addition the child developed an impetiginous
rash on her face which led to her being discharged from the Home.
The mentality of the mother may be judged from the fact that, at years,
the child had not been trained in habits of cleanliness. In the short time
the child gained 1 lb. in weight and added a second pound in the month
following her return. It may be possible to send this child away again
later, although the mother delayed six months before agreeing to convalescence
before. The second case who returned after three weeks was equally
unfortunate. The father's selfishness was such that he refused to allow
the child to stay longer. The child was considerably underweight and
even in three weeks' convalescence her gain in weight Avas equal to her
gain in the previous nine months at home. The father was unemployed
and he did not suggest that the child was not benefitting by convalescence.