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36
"The procedure is painless in the majority of cases, but in
those that experience pain it passes off in a very short time.
"The average number of attendances before final discharge
was 5.6 and the average number of treatments 3.8.
Results of Treatment
"Fifty-nine children who had completed their treatment not
less than nine months previously were followed up. All these
were selected at random from the higher age group, as they could
give more reliable information to questioning.
"In no case was there a recurrence and only four children
showed any signs of the location of the warts. These were in the
form of small localised callosities. None of the others showed any
signs of where the warts had been. Indeed the majority of the
children had themselves forgotten the site of the warts and several
did not know which foot.
"Advantage was taken at this examination of noting any
associated foot abnormality. Two cases had slight pes planus and
six a moderate degree of Hallux Valgus, but the position of the
warts in these cases could not be associated with the deformities.
"The children were questioned about their activities:—
36 used the swimming bath all the year round.
15 used the swimming bath in summer only.
39 used shower baths regularly after P.T.
2 only had used communal gym shoes.
"Of the many hundred cases treated before at the foot clinic
none have had to be referred for more energetic measures.
Prevention
"Without the precise knowledge of its aetiology, preventive
measures are mainly directed towards excluding established cases
from places which favour its spread, i.e. from swimming baths and
showers. Frequent examination of the feet of children using the
above places should be carried out.
"It is doubtful whether the use of disinfectants to the
surrounds of baths and showers are of any value.
"It was noted that in a great number of affected children a
primary stimulus, probably in the form of an abrasion, may have
been produced by nails jutting into the shoe or by ill-fitting shoes.
Some stress, therefore, should be laid on properly fitting and comfortable
shoes.