View report page

114
There were four cases of measles and one of diphtheria amongst the
children in the ward during the year. All were transferred to Fever Hospitals
and all made good recoveries. As explained in the section of this report
dealing with measles, six of the children in the Ward were treated with
Measles Convalescent Serum which we were fortunate in being able to obtain
from Dr. Nabarro of the Children's Hospital, Great Ormond Street. Ttiere
was only one further case after this prophylactic treatment and this was mild
and abortive in character.
The total number of cases transferred to Hospital, including those to
whose transfer to Fever Hospitals reference has just been made, was ten.
There was one death, a female aged three months, the cause of death
being (a) Enteritis (6) Marasmus.
Artificial Sunlight Clinic.
This Clinic is held on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
afternoons, and is under the medical direction of Dr. McGregor, the Assistant
Medical Officer of Health. A mercury vapour lamp (K.B.B.) is used.
The arrangements in connection with this clinic were re-organized. New
case sheets and a system of following up cases whose attendance was irregular,
were introduced. An effort was also made to secure the earlier attendance of
cases so as to prevent as far as possible the development of rickets and other
conditions to which debilitated sun starved children are liable.
As a result of these new arrangements the number of attendances at this
centre was greater than in the preceding year.
This is shown in the following table:—
1930. 1931.
Number of children referred to Light Clinic 244 269
Total attendances 4,095 4,973
Average number of visits per child 18.5
Average number of attendances per session 20 24.5
In all patients referred to the clinic for treatment of rickets or suspected
rickets diagnosis and results of treatment were checked by X-ray examination
at St. Leonard's Hospital in accordance with an arrangement approved
by the Borough Council and the London County Council. The number of
X-ray examinations made during the year was 147.
The increase in the number of attendances at this Clinic has necessitated
more medical supervision, and Dr. McGregor, who is in charge, has attended
twice weekly instead of once, as she did previously.
Sister Pollard gives the treatment and is responsible for the records and
general management of the Clinic.
At the time of writing the new building at the rear of the Model Welfare
Centre is nearing completion, and it is to be hoped that this most useful
clinic will soon be transferred to the new and more spacious accommodation
that has been provided in the basement.