Sun beds

The current fuss about the danger of using sunbeds, justified I'm sure, reminds me of an experience of my childhood. After a tonsillectomy at age 5 it was decided I was "run-down" and should have "sunray" treatment. Once a week I would attend the local childrens' hospital, don some dark-green goggles and sit naked with a lot of other youngsters in front of a large lamp. I don't remember it being as primitive as a carbon-arc lamp but I'm sure it was nowhere near as sophisticated in its emissions as a modern sun bed. The sessions lasted about 15 minutes and continued for a few weeks. I don't know if they did me any good but I'm sure they did less harm than subsequent teenage sunbathing on Brighton beach. Of course that was before the days of skin cancer scares.

How medical fashions change.

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Created by The Oatmeal

Recorded for Posterity . . .

. . . a red public telephone box,

With a working telephone.
Minimum charge 40p. How quaint!