View report page

50
"It has been demonstrated that in this disorder, as in
cretinism for example, if treatment is initiated early enough
the mental degeneration can be arrested, if not reversed, since
it is the inability of the cells to deal with the offending
chemical substance and not the mental defect which is primary.
"It is uncertain at present exactly how this condition
damages the brain. It may be due to the inability of the
tissues to use certain metabolites so that, in effect, there is
a shortage of these, or there may be an abnormal quantity of
them producing a toxic effect. Whichever is the case, these
metabolites appear in excess in the urine. The chief substance
so excreted is phenylpyruvic acid and the detection of this is
the basis of the test for early diagnosis."
Instructions have therefore been given that the urine of
all babies in the Borough should be tested when they are between
four and six weeks old. Specimens from those attending child
welfare clinics are taken and examined at the clinic, and in
the case of children who do not normally attend such a clinic,
a specimen is taken at home and examined subsequently.
General Practitioners have been fully advised as to the
arrangements.
Diagnosed cases are expected to be very rare. The incidence
of this condition may vary between 1 in 6,000 and 1 in 30,000
babies.
(h) Convalescence - During 1959 two pre-school children
were sent away on medical recommendation to convalescent homes.
Similarly, one mother was sent away for a period of
convalescence with her three young children.

Value of Cash Sales - £2, 021. 18, Od.