London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Leyton 1936
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Leyton]
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157
Artificial Sunlight Clinic.
The routine application of treatment by means of ultra-violet
rays is performed by the Authority's Masseuse (Miss A. E. Findlay)
under the supervision of Dr. Henderson (Deputy School Medical
Officer).
During recent years there has been a marked increase in the work of this clinic, as is evident from the following figures showing the numbers treated annually during the last five years.
| No. of Cases. | No. of New Cases. | Attendances. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 | 68 | 37 | 1,673 |
| 1933 | 70 | 29 | 2,174 |
| 1934 | 87 | 40 | 2,151 |
| 1935 | 110 | 74 | 3,310 |
| 1936 | 222 | 142 | 5,674 |
It will be seen that the number of children treated in 1936
was more than double that of the previous year. With the increase
in the work of this clinic it has been impossible to devote to the
children in attendance that amount of medical supervision which
is considered desirable. In addition, the one mercury vapour
lamp available is insufficient to deal effectively with the numbers
attending for treatment.
The following is Dr. Henderson's report on the school children
treated during 1936.
(Report by Dr. Henderson).
Cases treated in 1936 222
New cases treated in 1936 142
Attendances in 1936 5,674
Of the 158 children who were re-examined after treatment,
136 (86 per cent.) had either improved or were cured. This is a