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APPENDIX D.
REPORT ON DERMATOLOGICAL AND ACTINOTHERAPEUTIC DEPARTMENT FOR THE
YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 1935.
by H. D. HALDIN.DAVIS, M.D., F.R.C.P., F.R.C.S.
The work of the Dermatological and Artificial Sunlight Clinics continued during 1935 on much
the same lines as previously. No great development took place. As regards the Dermatological
work, it is hoped that steps will soon be taken by the Council to make the centre more able to cope
with the different sorts of cases which present themselves for treatment. On referring to the records
I find that nearly 40 cases a year have to be referred to various hospitals for treatment, because there
are no facilities at the Council centres for dealing with them efficiently. Such cases include conditions
such as warts on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands; nasvi, when they are not suitable for
treatment with carbon dioxide; small tumours of the skin which require surgical treatment, such as
can be carried out in a hospital out.patient department; and cases of chronic eczema, for which
X.ray treatment is essential.
There is no doubt that the efficiency of the Dermatological centre will be greatly improved if
provision is made to carry out minor surgical procedures, and if an X.ray apparatus can be provided.
It will be remembered that the old X.ray apparatus which was instituted in 1913, to deal with ringworm
of the scalp, which was then a pressing problem, wore out after about 20 years' service, during
which this disease was stamped out of Willesden, and it was not replaced by a new machine, because
there were only very few cases of ringworm to deal with.
There are, however, in Willesden, quite a number of cases of chronic skin disease, which would
justify the Council in procuring a new and up.to.date apparatus.
The clinic which provides treatment for varicose ulceration of the legs and allied conditions
continues to do good work and attracts new patients. It has also developed a new form of activity
in that it provides slimming treatment for many of the patients. Many of the women who suffer
from "bad legs" are very much overweight, and benefit greatly when this is reduced. Thyroid
extract is very popular with these ladies, and in some cases results are spectacular. One woman, who
originally weighed so much that she was beyond the maximum capacity of the weighing machine
(which is 22 stones) has now come down to 15|, and although her leg has quite recovered she comes
regularly for her supply of thyroid. In several instances patients have lost from one to three stone,
with great benefit. Of course the administration of this drug is very carefully supervised, and if there
is any indication that it is not suitable it is withheld, but the class of patient which suffers from " bad
legs " is in a very large proportion of cases very much benefited by taking thyroid. They are often
large and bulky creatures whose vital processes move very slowly, and these are accelerated by
thyroid treatment, greatly to their advantage.
APPENDIX E.
REPORT ON WORK IN THE EYE DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31st DECEMBER, 1935.
By B. R. MEDLYCOTT, M.B., B.S.(Lond.), M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., Ophthalmic Surgeon to the Council.

The routine at the Health Centres has remained unaltered, and the work of the optician,
nurses and district visitors has been conscientiously carried on.