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96
Number of children treated 132
Number of attendances 2,706
Average number of attendances per child 20.5
Average gain in weight per month per child 1¼ pounds
The marked general improvement, both physical and mental,
in the cases under treatment has been amply verified by parents
and teachers, and the former have exhibited a very firm conviction
as to the efficacy of the treatment, both verbally and by their
assiduous attendance at the Clinic; it has been noteworthy that
there have been very few absentees.
The extension of this form of treatment to suitable cases
attending the Maternity and Child Welfare Centre should go far
towards eliminating much of the invalidity amongst entrants to
the Elementary Schools, and it is encouraging to note that, after
a trial period of nine months, Dr. E. Thomson, Assistant Medical
Officer at the Maternity and Child Welfare Centre, has
reported : " Two sessions a week are reserved for the
babies, and almost without exception benefit has resulted
to those who have been sent to the Sunlight Clinic," and that
the Members of the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee
have been sufficiently convinced of the benefit to infants and young
children of light treatment that application has been made to the
Ministry of Health for recognition of the expenditure in connection
therewith.
The daily use of the artificial light apparatus would be a great
asset in our endeavours towards the prevention of ill-health and
disease in early life, and the provision of specific accommodation
would make this possible. A much larger waiting room is urgently
necessary to enable the children to have a comfortable period of
rest after treatment before they leave the building.
9. OPEN-AIR EDUCATION.
(a) Playground Classes.
In a few cases playground classes continue to be held
occasionally.
(b) School Camps.
No School Camps were held during the year 1927.