LIGHT THERAPY MAYER 407 



More recently I have been decreasing the dose, exposing only every 

 other day, and on less skin area, aiming rather for suberythema dos- 

 age. The results are apparently as favorable as with the procedure 

 already outlined. 



CLINICAL RESULTS 



It has been scientifically proved that a certain region of ultra- 

 violet radiation produces a vitamin D-like substance, and it therefore 

 favorably affects calcium metabolism in calcium-deficient disease.^^ 

 Thus, clinically, ultra-violet is most effective in rickets, tetany, and 

 osteomalacia. Its value in overcoming a demineralization of the 

 pregnant and nursing mother presents favorable substantial evi- 

 dence.^® The empiric results are strongly impressive when light is 

 used as an aid in certain skin diseases, superficial ulcerations, and 

 many forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Serious workers will 

 deplore the extravagant claims which have from time to time been 

 made for the therapeutic effectiveness of ultra-violet radiation cover- 

 ing so many diseases that it is impossible to enumerate the entire list. 

 It must be left to the future to substantiate and disprove reported 

 favorable clinical results m conditions such as secondary and per- 

 nicious anemias, nasal sinusitis, hay fever, common colds, catarrh, 

 asthma, or carbon monoxide jjoisoning, and many skin diseases. 

 Light has repeatedly been quoted as an important tonic agent and 

 one that will raise resistance against most sj^stemic infections, with- 

 out proof of action. Colored glasses placed over lamps have also fre- 

 quently been so advocated. 



In skin diseases ultra-violet has proved truly of great value when 

 used locally and generally in the treatment of lupus vulgaris and 

 scrofuloderma. It has occasionally been found useful in acne vul- 

 garis, psoriasis, indolent ulcers, pityriasis rosea (in erythema doses), 

 adenoma sebaceum (in blistering doses), and erythema induratum. 

 It has been of questionable value in the treatment of boils and gen- 

 eralized staphylococcus infections of the skin, and alopecia. It has 

 generally not fulfilled the promise of earlier reports in the treatment 

 of lupus erythematosus. 



In tuberculosis light of any form by itself is not curative but com- 

 prises only one of the important adjuvants in treatment. To believe 

 that sunlight or lamps will cure all forms of extrapulmonary tubercu- 

 losis, to be unduly optimistic about this treatment and consider it 

 specific, to use it without sound medical guidance and adequate equip- 



s^Maughan, Sonne, Reerink and Wijk, and Hess and Weinstock (footnote 41). Steen- 

 bock and Black (footnote 27). 



" Huldschinsky, Rowland and Marriott, Bakwin, H., and Bakwin, Ruth M., and Cas- 

 paris and Kramer (footnote 41). 



