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163
One new case, a child attending the Open Air School because
of a crippling condition, had been recommended for the Light Clinic
by the Authority's Ophthalmic Surgeon, but made only 5 attendances
before admission to hospital for an orthopaedic operation.
All other cases made attendances varying from 7 to 70.
Type of Lamp Employed.—During the summer of 1933 the
local electricity supply was changed over from direct current to
alternating current. This change-over put the tungsten lamp
permanently out of commission, and it was decided to replace the
old quartz mercury vapour lamp by another of modern type suitable
for use with alternating current.
Strength of Dose.—The treatment is graduated, each patient
commencing with a minimum 2/2 exposure by 3/2, 4/2, 5/2, 7/2, 9/2
to a maximum of 10/2, i.e., 10 minutes to each side of the body.
There are four weekly sessions for school children, two for boys
and two for girls. Each child attends twice a week and a course
consists of at least twelve exposures, after which the case is reviewed
and repeat courses given as considered advisable.
Other Forms of Treatment.—Of the 70 cases treated in
1933, 18 were children attending the Open-air School at Knotts
Green, and five of these children were new cases. Two cases were
known to have received treatment by a private practitioner, and
five children were under other forms of treatment by various London
hospitals. Cod liver oil and malt had been prescribed for 23 cases,
and nine patients had some kind of iron tonic in addition to light
treatment.
Only 14 children were known to have been treated by artificial
light alone.
Progress in General Health.
In estimating the effect of treatment, in addition to the results
of medical inspection and re-inspection, the independent opinions
of both parents and head teachers were obtained regarding improvement
or otherwise in brightness, alertness, etc. The following