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for short periods of time for splinting, manipulation, and
in one instance for the removal of the thyroid gland. Five
of these patients, although away from work for more than
three years, are now back at either full or part-time work
and, instead of being a financial liability to the community,
are self-supporting people.
The Clinic has at least three important functions to
perform:—
1. The early diagnosis of rheumatic conditions so that
adequate treatment can be provided and, if necessary,
the patient can be treated out of working hours so that
he can continue to lead his full, normal life.
2. The treatment, particularly of elderly people, of
symptoms due to rheumatism which are causing them
pain and suffering. In these cases, one or two courses
of treatment may well relieve their symptoms and
allow them to continue to lead a happy and reasonably
full life. A year later, if their symptoms recur, it is
reasonable to take them on again for a further course
of treatment.
3. The treatment of the rheumatic cripple. Although not
spectacular, in a way the most gratifying group. This
consists of those patients who have been so badly
crippled that, for a period of time, sometimes up to
four or five years, they have been unable to do anything
except be nursed in their own homes. With a
period of in-patient treatment, followed by treatment
as an out-patient at the Clinic, and a careful survey
by the Social Service Department of the Council, and
with the help of the Ministry of Labour, they can
often be made happy and reasonably useful citizens
once again.
The success of this work is dependent on the close
co-operation between the staff of the Clinic and the
doctors by whom patients are referred for advice. The
medical practitioners in the neighbourhood are giving
us increasing help both in selecting the right type of
patient and carrying out, under our guidance, that