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101
Artificial Sunlight Treatment.
Number of cases treated—Infants 45
Number of cases treated—Adults 2
Total number of attendances 1,042
Convalescent Home Treatment.
During the year 38 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 Children's
Aid Association.
Dr. Menzies has submitted the following clinical observations on
the children recommended by her for convalescence during the
year :
One child's period of convalescence was curtailed because of the
mother's hysterical behaviour. She threatened to commit suicide if the
child were not returned to her care. This child, aged 4£ years, had been
found to be unmanageable when brought to the clinic by the mother, but
behaved well when the father brought him on one occasion. The hope of the
child developing into a well-balanced adult is likely to be ruined by association
with the mother.
A second child was discharged after one day because she was discovered
to be a scarlet fever contact. A third did not settle at the convalescent home
and was removed by his relatives after three weeks. This was a child who
had 110 mother and was cared for by an aunt who was worried by his slow
progress.
The remaining 35 children had periods of convalescence varying from
one month to four and a half months. Two-thirds of the children were
away at least eight weeks; and of these, 10 were away three months or
longer.
Twenty-six of the 35 children were between the ages of 2 and 4 years ;
7 were over four years and 2 were under two years.
The illnesses, for which convalescence was recommended, were :—
Marasmus.
Pharyngitis.
Abscess of leg (2 cases).
Otitis Media (5 cases).
Bronchitis (4 cases).
Pneumonia (3 cases).
Intussusception.
Anaemia (2 cases).
Whooping Cough (3 cases).
Asthma.
Scarlet Fever.
The proportion following diseases of the respiratory tract is considerable.
In the remainder of the cases there had been 110 definite illness, but the
children were making slow progress and could only be classed as suffering
from debility of unknown origin.
All the children benefited by their period of convalescence.