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142
Dosage and Side Effects of Dexten (bonded dexamphetamine)
These are 10 mgm. tablets, but In all cases
only half tablets (5 mgm. )were recommended at bedtime.
This allowed the child (with few exceptions)
to go to sleep before the actual effect of the dexamphetamine
became manifest, and ensured that the
maximum effect of the substance would be between
the hours of 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. approximately.
(In 1957 Professor A. Kekwick showed, by
using crestinine as a marker, that the optimal level
of a drug resinate in the blood occurred about 8}
hours after its administration, and was maintained
for at least 3 hours. )
Thus, the necessity of waking a child to give
a second dose of a short acting substance is ruled out.
In a very few cases temporary side effects
were complained of, such as nightmares, insomnia
or daytime irritability. It has been apparent that if
treatment with the dexamphetamine group of drugs
is going to be effective, 4-6 months of treatment will
usually be sufficient to achieve bladder control.
In all cases treated, however, any medicinal
measures would seem to play a role secondary to thai
of the strict routine, the early morning waking,
charting and the interest taken by the child and parents
in what is being attempted. "
HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.
Section 33 of the Education Act, 1944, and the regulations
made thereunder have placed on the Local Education
Authorities responsibilities for the provision of
suitable education of children suffering from disability of
mind or body.
A record of all such children is revised annually from
returns submitted by all Head Teachers, and any new cases
attending local maintained schools are reported to me with a
view to medical examination and ascertainment of their
suitability or otherwise of attendance at an ordinary school.