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invariably derive benefit, sometimes very marvellous benefit, from the treatment. During 1931
much more use was made of the Mercury Vapour lamps. These are usually reserved for cases which
failed to make much headway with the Carbon Arc lamps, with which treatment is generally inaugurated.
Twenty-six cases were treated with the Mercury Vapour during 1931, and with the exception
of six, did better than they had been doing under the Carbon Arc. But it must be admitted that there
are occasional children who derive no benefit at all from Artificial Light treatment. Altogether 450
children were treated at both Clinics.
Varicose Ulcers.
At the Willesden Lane Centre the chief event of the year was the starting of a Clinic for the
treatment of varicose ulcers, principally by means of elastoplast bandages. This was only begun
in September, 1931, and the numbers of patients have been quite small. Up to the end of the year
only eight cases had been treated. As is well known, varicose ulcer is a difficult condition to cure,
and up to December 31st only one case had been actually discharged as cured ; but at least three more
were on the point of cure, and without exception all the patients were greatly benefited and enabled
to go about their work in freedom from the pain which had previously tormented them for years.
It is not too much to say that the modern treatment of varicose ulcer has revolutionised the prospects
of those who suffer from this painful disorder, and it is likely that within a few years it will become
a rarity.
Ringworm.
Ringworm of the scalp is another example of what can be achieved by systematic treatment
with modern methods. In 1931 only 14 cases were submitted to X-rays, and so cured. In 1913,
the first year that this disease was tackled by the Council, 112 cases were treated, and there was a
long, long waiting list, many of whom had ultimately to be dealt with at various hospitals. Now it
is only comparatively seldom that children become infected. Cases of Alopecia Areata are now
much commoner than ringworm ; in 1913 the reverse was the case. These figures are paralleled
all over London, and it appears that we are within measureable distance of stamping out the disease.