Darlington

Darlington

108 P U B L I C H E A L T H VOL. 84 NO. 2 wealth of new information available is clearly set out in this book and will be readily understandable by ...

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108

P U B L I C H E A L T H VOL. 84 NO. 2

wealth of new information available is clearly set out in this book and will be readily understandable by those of us who have been unable to keep pace with the complex advances in modem immunology. "This book will prove valuable for doctors in the Public Health Service who wish to refresh and extend their knowledge of immunology.

Darlington, 1850. Published by Durham County Local History Society. pp. 74. DtJRnA~ County Local History Society here presents the report by Chadwick's super/ntending b~pector William Granger to the General Board of Health in London; being a preliminary enquiry "into the sewerage, drainage, and supply of water and the sanitary condition of the inhabitants". The report which arose as the result of a petition to the .Board under the Public Health Act 1848 gave rise in its turn to one of the first tocal~.boards of health of which Stephen "Edward Piper was medical officer of health for 32 years and to which he wrote some of the most moving reports in public health history (see Public Health in the Nineteenth Century, C. F. Brockington). H. J. Smith's introduction to this present volume is a valuable analysis of the local political scene over a period of about 16 years. W.H.O. Expert Committee on Drug Dependence: Sixteenth Report. World Health Organization Technical Report Series, 1969, No. 407. pp. 28: 4s. Available through H.M.S.O. THIs rtrr, oRT is very much a sequel to the previous fifteen and gives working definitions for the terms Drug, Drug Dependence, Drug Abuse, the Physical Depression Capacity of a drug, and Drug Control. Such definitions are essential in the continuing search for accuracy, generality and simplicity, so vital in communication. Whilst tlm interrelationship between the drug and the drug taker as an individua! is stressed, the report points out that "if tile drug dependence is associated with behavioural responses that adversely affect the user's interpersonal relationship or cause adverse physical, social or economic consequences to others as well as to himself, and if the problem is actually or potentially widespread in the population, then a pubhc health problem does exist". The princip!es and data upon which these judgements can be made are listed and form the main body of the report. These principles are based on "before the fact" information, i.e. the nature of the drug and its market prospects, and "'after the fact" data such as the experience gained from legal t~se a n d the liability to and consequences of abuse. Reports in tiffs series are necessary" working documents for those stud~ing the drug scene in depth.