New—But Very Old

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 44, 16 May 1930, Page 22

New—But Very Old

HELIOTHERAPY, or sun cure, which is attracting so much attention: to-day in the medical world, is of jmmemorial antiquity, remarks the "New Zealand Health Journal." In ancient Egypt, mothers took their ‘children down to the sindy shores of the Nile and allowed them to paddle and‘ lie about naked for hours in the sunshine. Records show that the health-giviug qualities of sunlight were well understood, even though neither Egyptian mothers nor physicians knew anything of ultra-violet rays, which are a markedly valuable constituent of sunlight. China practised sun-bathing long centuries ago, and so did the Indians of South Ameriea, But in Europe, where, except in the southern countries, there is comparatively little sunlight, the sun-bath and heliotherapy in its widest sense are practically a post-war development. It should be remarked that so long as 400 years ago a "sea-bathing" hospital was established at Margate, on the Bast Coast of England, where the combined. benefits of sun-and-sea bathing effected many notable cures. The new cult had its origin in England. A few years ago a philanthropic woman, who was crippled by a tubereulous affection of the hip, interested herself in poor children similarly affected. She founded a children’s free hospital in her own ).ome, but before long the house became too small for the number of patients who sought admit tance, so she built a number of shut tered but windowless shelters in the grounds. These were lighted on all sides, not for any set purpose, it should be noted, tut because it was cheaper. Tt was not long before it was disecoveréd that the children who had taeir quarters in the sleepouts, as these shelters were called, thrived in a manner for which it was difficult to account. It could not be fresh air alone. for all the other children lived in airy quarters. The doctor in attendance became interested, and through him other doctors. Eventually it was decided it was sunlight as well as fresh air that was effecting such a remarkable improvement in the health of the young patients. . Heliotherapy sprang suddenly into life, or, to be more exact, took on a new lease of life, not in England only, but in Burope and America, Ultraviolet rays are found to be sermicidal, to powerfully stimulate the nervous system, and as they are absorbed into the blood they give it the power of ridding itself of poisonous bacteria.