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45
Report by Dr. Dorothy B. Gere.
During 1933 110 cases completed treatment. Of these, eleven
are not included in this report as, for various reasons, they only came for one or two
treatments. The cases treated include the following :—
Malnutrition 45 cases.
Marasmus 10 „
Failure to gain weight 3 „
Rickets 30 „
Debility 7 „
Cough 4
Malnutrition.— The great majority of these cases respond well to treatment,
provided there is no specific cause for the condition, such as unhealthy tonsils or
threadworms. The general condition improves, and the average gain in weight in
all those treated was 7.5 oz. per month.
Marasmus.— All these cases did well. In each case at the beginning of treatment
the baby Was at least 2 lbs. underweight considering its birth-weight, and some of
them were in very poor condition. They varied in age from two to six months.
The average gain in weight per week in all those treated was 4.7 oz., and every
baby at the end of the course of treatment was very Well in every way.
Failure to gain weight.—These children, though well-nourished, had failed to
put on any weight for some weeks. The average gain during treatment was 8.3 oz.
per month.
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Rickets.—These cases are cured with treatment, in conjunction with correct
dieting and the administration of cod-liver oil or halibut liver oil. Bony defects,
however, may be left, which require orthopaedic treatment after Light treatment
is finished.
Debility.—These children were those who had failed to recover well after
pneumonia, rheumatic fever, influenza, etc. All improved well with Light treatment.
Cough.—One child had persistent cough after having had whooping cough six
months previously. It was completely cured with two months' treatment. The
other three were cases of chronic bronchitis and all were treated during the worst
Winter months. In two cases the child had no cough from the time that treatment
was begun. In the third case the child was quite cured by February, and his mother
reported that he was a " different child now, and he is happy and lively."
Dental Clinic.—A Dental Clinic is established at No. 28, Lower
Clapton Road, bi-weekly sessions being held.
Expectant and nursing mothers and children are referred from
all the Infant Welfare Centres in the Borough to this Clinic for
treatment.
Under this scheme the Council's Dental Surgeon, Mr. H. C.
Middleton, L.D.S., and the Anaesthetist, Dr. Montague Smith, are
paid a fee for each attendance at the Clinic. Payment is also made
to the Dental Surgeon in respect of the supply of dentures.