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34
Artificial Sunlight Clinic.—The artificial sunlight clinic is held in part
of the Town Hall Infant Welfare Centre. The total number of patients treated
during the year, including 172 whose course of treatment was not completed at
the end of 1934, was 446. The total number of treatments given was 10,203: of
these, 8,642 were by carbon arc, 1,185 by mercury vapour lamp, and 376 by radiant
heat lamp.
The Clinic is under the medical supervision of Dr. J. E. A. Lynham, who has
furnished the following report on the year's work:—
"Thanks to the efficient work of the medical assistants and the staff, the
Sunlight Clinic has continued to give good results in treatment. Constant
touch is kept with other sections of the Health Department, and cases which
seem to require a specialist are always referred for opinion and such therapeutic
measures as are advised.
The figures as a whole are similar to those of former years, with the
gratifying exception that the numbers cured or much improved have relatively
increased. The largest group is still that including general debility and malnutrition
inevitable in a district where many people are poor. The improvement
shown in a large majority of these is satisfactory. Cases of rickets are
still seen, but these seem to come at an earlier stage and respond better, as
the figures show.
All cases with enlarged glands are given general as well as local treatment,
and of these 23 out of 29 were much improved or cured.
Improvement was noticed also in all of the expectant mothers who attended
regularly."
A successful issue in the treatment of children by artificial sunlight can only
be obtained when there is regular attendance over a requisite period. The Old
Town Hall, central though it may be for many purposes, is a long way from Eltham
and still further from New Eltham. It is from the welfare centres in these areas
that many patients are recommended for artificial sunlight treatment, and it has
been found that the regular attendance of such children at the Woolwich clinic
involves a strain on time in travelling and family purse, which many mothers are
unable to bear. In consequence after the first few attendances treatment ceases.
For this reason the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee have decided that
as soon as a convenient site is available they will recommend the Council to provide
facilities for artificial sunlight treatment at Eltham.