Clinical results in cases of rickets treated with an active concentrate prepared from cod liver oil.

Abstract

The clinical observations extend over a period of more than one year. All cases were infants and children of the pre-school age. In the series under investigation 37 cases had rickets in a mild or severe form. The symptoms were confined to the head, thorax and the extremities. No case was diagnosed as rickets until the Roentgenologist called the case rickets. Our studies were continued and supervised by means of the x-ray. This showed where there was or where there was not improvement. Increase in weight and growth were symptoms that were stressed and metabolism was regarded as the most important result in a successful case. The blood examination was made in some cases and this was studied to determine an improvement if any existed.

Very many cases had eczema associated with rickets. In all, over 900 infants were examined and in the series 37 had backwardness in dentition, inability to walk or stand and rachitic manifestations confined to the bony system.

Constipation seemed present in 50 per cent of the cases. The other half had catarrhal, greenish and foul smelling stools. Atony of the gastrointestinal canal noted by loss of appetite, constipation or loose bowels was present in most cases. The urine showed acetone and traces of diacetic acid and indican.

The susceptibility of rachitic cases to the acute catarrhal diseases impressed us with the importance of avoiding unnecessary exposure at night and in the damp weather during our attempt to harden our infants and render them less susceptible to cold drafts and moisture. This susceptibility to colds and coughs and catarrhal infections seemed lessened after the first week, or two weeks at the most, of treatment with cod liver oil concentrate.