[Report 1934] / Medical Officer of Health, Darlington County Borough.
- Darlington (England). County Borough Council.
- Date:
- 1934
Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Credit: [Report 1934] / Medical Officer of Health, Darlington County Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.
108/126 page 12
![Most of the cases treated were elassilied iiiuler the lieadiiigs of Debility, Bronchial Catarrh, Poor Nutrition and Kheumatisin. The most marked feature as a result of the treatment was the general tonic eifects seen, without exception in all children—manifested in a gain in weight, increased vitality and improvement in appetite. This was particularly marked in children treated for Malnutrition due to poor environmental conditions, e.g. over- crowding, lack of sunshine, fresh air and insufticient rest. During the year children attended for prolonged periods with great regularity, some children returning for a second course of treatment. Some of the parents have accompanied the children with unfailing regularity and have given the voluntary information that they consider the time well spent, as the benefits observed in the child’s general condition are so marked. The children are also keenly interested in their treatments and look forward to the time spent in the Ultra-Violet Light Room. REPORT OF OPHTHALMOLOGIST. Mr. A. T. Paterson, M.D., F.R.C.S.Ed., D.P.H. The work in connection with the eye clinic has progressed smoothly during the j)a.st year. There would appear to have been a decrease in the minor eye diseases which arise from malnutrition. Squint is one of the eye defects which is still very prevalent and this is not only the cause of considerable loss of sight in the affected eye but also of great disfigurement to the child and distress to the parents. Within recent yCars a new method of treating squint has come to the fore. The treatment is known as orthoptic or fusion training and very satisfactory results are being obtained. The aim of the treatment is to do away with the squint without any operative measui'es, w'hich latter in them- selves are by no means always satisfactory and are occasionally attended with disaster to the operated eye. The orthoptic treatment is carried out by means of a very conq^licated piece of apparatus called a Synoptiscojje. A s})ccially trained assistant is required and each child is subjected to half an hour’s training two or more tirnes a week, so that in one single day it is ])robable that not more than twelve children could be treated using one instrument. Sooner or later the school clinics will no doubt adopt this method of treating squint, and it is for your Committee to decide whether they are prepared to lay out the necessary money for the purchase of the apparatus required and to employ a specially trained lady to carry out the work. The work requires great patience on the part of the Operator and the training necessary goes on for many months.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b29149162_0110.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
