London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
East Ham 1928
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Ham]
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106
air. The tungsten arc lamp has been used mainly in the local
treatment of chronic cervical adenitis (in conjunction with general
irradiation), and there is no doubt that the results achieved are
far superior to those following; any other form of treatment.
Extremely satisfactory results have been obtained also in cases of
alopecia.
The following is a brief summary of the cases treated by general irradiation throughout the year:—
| CONDITION. | Boys. | Girls. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anæmia | 15 | 19 | |
| Debility | 39 | 30 | |
| Malnutrition | 21 | 26 | |
| Malnutrition and Anaemia | 9 | 6 | |
| Pretuberculosis | 5 | 4 | |
| Rheumatism | 6 | 3 | |
| Bronchial Catarrh and Bronchitis | 27 | 11 | |
| Adenitis | 17 | 12 | |
| Alopecia | 3 | 2 | |
| Number of children treated | 255 (132 in 1927) | ||
| Number of attendances | 3,206 (2,706 in 1927) | ||
| Average number of attendances per child | 13 | ||
| Average gain in weight per month per child | 1 lb. 6 oz. | ||
| Number treated by local application | 18 | ||
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. (See also the Report of the
Ophthalmic Surgeon, p. 119.)
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