Twirl

 

Over the years, treatment for jaundice included blood-letting, laxatives, and enemas. If a patient recovered, it was often in spite of the treatment rather than because of it. During the 1950’s, Sister Jean Ward was head nurse of the premature nursery at Rochford General Hospital in Essex. She believed fresh air and sunshine were better for babies than stuffy hospital rooms. On warm sunny days, she’d wheel the babies in her charge – cribs and all – outside into the hospital courtyard. She began to observe the babies' jaundice improved after being in sunlight; specifically, the exposed skin was less yellow than skin under clothing or blankets. She showed her discovery to doctors, who were less than impressed. They continued to promote the accepted treatment – exchange blood transfusion, despite the obvious risks. It took decades, but the medical world finally came around. In 1982, our baby boy recovered on a blanket in the garden instead of a hospital ward.