General Purposes Committee

PUBLIC HEALTH, July, 1945 fitness should be obtained for each adopting parent, as well as the medical certificate for the child. No adoption through either a local authority or a registered adoption society should be made final without a probationary period, except under very special circumstances. The length of the probationary period should be at the discretion of the Court. There should be some ruling as to the mtrnber of adoptions any one third party can arrange within a given period. It is difficult to decide at what stage an active third party should register as an adoption society. Placing by the mother or near relative should be notified to the local authority. No children should be received into the proposed adoption home, until tPIe home has been approved by the local welfare authority. It should be made obligatory when an adoption is being legalised by a Court of Law that they should receive a report from the child protection visitor, of the appropriate welfare authority. Notification of the placing of a child for adoption should be made by the person receiving the child as well as by the participators. The age of the foster parents should be taken into consideration in relation to the age of the child to be adopted. There are many instances where it seems inadvisable for the natural parent to have the child's new address, which at the present time is shown on the Notice of Hearing, sent to the mother by the Court. The law of inheritance as it affects these children might receive further consideration. Some arrangements should be made so that the new certificate supplied should not show that the child is adopted. Should an interim order be granted there appears to" be no onus on the Court to see that the case is completed. It is our experience that infants under four weeks of age who are to be placed for adoption have sometimes been sent apart from their mothers on long journeys to the home of the adopting parents. We consider that this is a most undesirable practice, and that, if it were possible, it should be made illegal. The Council also adopted the following resolution fo~varded by the Yorkshire Branch : - " That representations should be made to the Minister of Health urging him to amend the Adoption of Children (Regulation) Act, 1939, and Regulations made thereunder, so as to provide that when a child is being transferred from the area of one welfare authority to another with a view to adoption the authority in whose area the child is for the time being residing should be notified of the proposed transfer and the transfer should not take place until a certificate has been issued by the responsible official of that authority stating that the child is in a fit state for transfer, consideration having been given not only to the physical condition of the child, but also to weather conditions and the length of the journey to be undertaken." Arising out of a further resolution forwarded by the Yorkshire Branch it was agreed that as full information as possible regarding the paternity of a child should be made available for the adopter before completion of the adoption. SCALE OF SALARIES In reply to an enquiry from the British Medical Association in regard to procedure in negotiations for future scales for the Public Health Service, it was decided to recommend the Association that such negotiations should be conducted on the same basis as those preceding the Askwith Memorandum--i.e., with representatives of local authorities and an independent chairman. FUTURE OF PAEDIATRICS

A memorandum on this subject drafted by the Maternity and Child Welfare Group at the request of the Paediatric Committee of the Royal Society of Medicine was referred for observations from the School Medical Group before adoption by the Council. THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON POPULATION The President stated that he had approved a memorandum prepared by the Maternity and Child Welfare Group at the request of the Royal Commission on Population on the Group Care of Young Children outside the Home. This was one of those matters which could not await submission to Council and he had accepted the responsibility of authorising the memorandum. (The memorandum wilI be found on p. 116). It was agreed'to ask Dr. Jean Mackintosh and Dr. I. G. Davies to draft a memorandum on aspects of the population problem which should be the subject of any evidence the Society might wish to offer to the Royal CommisSion. ACADEMY OF: MEDICINE A re~olution from the Yorkshire Branch in i~eferenee to the place o f preventive medicine i n th~ proposed Academy of Medicine was referre~I t'or further consideration at the next meeting of the General PurpOses Committee.

119 REGISTER OF SPECIALISTS A resolution from the Southern Branch in regard to the position of public medical officers in regard to the proposed Register of Specialists was referred after discussion to the Special Committee on Post-Graduate Education of Medical Practitioners in Public Health, which had already given consideration to this matter. NOMINATION OF PRESIDENT FOR SESSION 1945--46 After consideration of nominations received from the Branches the Council selected by ballot Professor J. Johnstone Jervis for nomination as President of the Society for the coming session. LIFE MEMBERSHIP On the nomination of the West of England Branch, Dr. Ernest Ward was elected to fully-paid life membership of the Society. Dr. Ward has been a Fellow of the Society since 1920 and served as President for the Session 1936-37. REPRESENTATION OF THE SOCIETY Dr. Virginia Saunders-Jacobs was elected to the Child Guidance Council, now the Provisional National Council for Mental Health; Dr. Evelyn McGregor was elected to serve with Dr. James Fenton on the National Baby VgeIfare Council.

GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE A meeting of the above Committee was held at Tavistock House Tavistock Square, London, W.C.1, on May 24th, 1945, with D r J. M. Gibson in the chair. There were also present Drs. Cyril Banks, W. A. Bullough, James Fenton, C. Herington, R. H. H. Jolly, A. A. E. Newth, Hugh Paul, Professor R. M. F. Pieken, Drs. Virginia Saunders-Jacobs, J. A. Stifling and F. T. H. Wood. Apologies for absence were received from Drs. N. D. Begg, G. F. Buchan, J. J. Buchan, G. Lissant Cox, James Ferguson, W. M. Frazer, J. W. Hunter and A. Massey. Communications with External Bodies.--After discussion of recent occasions when Groups of the Society had been directly approached on matters of urgency by external bodies, the Committee approved for submission to Council a memorandum defining the procedure to be adopted in such cases. (See Proceedings of Council, May 25th, 1945.) Planning and Building of Hospitals.--A letter was received from the General Nursing Council urging that in the planning and equipmen.t of hospital buildings due consideration should be given to conditions necessary in a Training School for Nurses. An accompanying memorandum indicated the standard desired and pointed out in what respects a great many hospitals failed to reach that standard. Management of Municipal Housing Estates.--The Committee approved (and recommended) to Council the memorandum for submission to the Central Housing Advisory Committee (see p. I 14), It was aggeed that special thanks be accorded to Dr. Caryl Thomas, Dr. A. G. Morison and Dr. G. Hamilton Hogben for their assistance in drafting this memorandum. Standards of Fitness in Housing.--A memorandum was approved by the Committee and recommended to the Council for submission to the Central Housing Advisory Committee (see p. 115). It was emphasised that the recommendations made applied only to existing housing, and must not be taken as indicating the standards which should be required in new houses. Thanks were expressed to Dr. R. H. H. Jolly, Professor J. Johnstone Jervis, Dr. J. A- Scott and Dr. W. B. Stott for preparation of the memorandum. Treatment of School Children.~ln reply to an enquiry from a medical officer of health regarding arrangements for the treatment of school children and the terms of Education Circular No. 29, the Committee agreed that the duties of local education authorities are defined by the Education Act, and that it must rest with them to decide what arrangements, if any, must be negotiated with hospitals and private practitioners. Vaccination of lnfants.--The Minister of Health forwarded for the observations of the Society a memorandum addressed to his Medical Advisory Committee regarding the compulsory basis of the Vaccination Acts. The Advisory Committee expressed itself in favour of terminating compulsion as' proposed in the Ministry memorandum. After discussion it was agreed to recommend t o the Council that as infant vaccination had ceased to be effective compulsion should no longer be enforced in the absence of variola major, but that the machinery for the provision of free vaccination and the supply of government lymph should be maintained and improved. Adndnis~. atiqn of MuniciPal Hospitals.~Replying to an enquiry from a Fellow of t h e Society, the Committee recommended for

PUBLIC HEALTH, July, t945

120 approval by the Council the principle that, as the primary purpose of a hospital is the treatment o f the sick, the medical superintendent should have the supreme responsibility in all matters, but that he should have adequate assistant staff to relieve him of non-medical details of management and administration.

The Society of Medical Officers of Health of New Zealand.--The Committee welcomed a proposal from members in New Zealand that their local society, recently established, should become a branch of the parent Society. The Acting Executive Secretary was directed to send a cordial reply to this suggestion, indicating the various arrangements which would be necessary to comply with the Society's Articles of Association, and promising consultation with a member of the New Zealand Society who would shortly be visiting London. Comprehensive Training of Nurses.~The President reported that the Society had been approached by the Royal College of Nursing, the Women Public Health Officers' Association, the Royal Sanitary Institute and others in reference to the draft proposals for the comprehensive training of nurses recently issued by the General Nursing Council. Professor Picken suggested that it was advisable to invite representatives of these bodies to confer on these proposals, especially as affecting the training of health visitors. A report in this connection would be available early in July and, subject to the approval of the Committee, he proposed to catt a conference shortly afterwards. T h e President's suggestion was approved and commended for adoption by the Council. Annual Luncheon.--It was agreed that in place of the Annual Dinner held by the Society prior to the war, a lunch should be arranged at the H o l b o m Restaurant for Friday, September 21st, at 12.30 for 1.0 p.m. T h e maximum attendance must be restricted to 150, and any tickets available for private guests Would be allotted according to priority of application. The cost of tickets would be 10s./6d. inclusive o f gratuities, but exclusive of wines. The Presiden6 undertook to nominate the official guests. A meeting of the Council would be held on the morning of September 21st, so other members of the Society will be asked to make application for luncheon tickets before the end of August. The President, Dr. G. F. Buchan and Dr. James Fenton were appointed to be responsible for the toast list and other arrangements, and Dr. Fenton was thanked for the success of his preliminary labours at a time when it is difficult to secure accommodation for large parties in London restaurants. The Committee then adjourned.

ORDINARY MEETING An Ordinary Meeting of the Society was held on Friday, May 25th, 194=5, with the President (Professor R. M. 13'. Picken) in the chair. Election of President for Session 1945-46.--The President reported that in accordance with Article 17a of the Society's constitution, the Council had selected Professor J. Johnstone Jervis for nomination to that meeting for election as President of the Society for the coming session. The election of Dr. Jervis was approved by acclamation. Election of Fellows.--The following having been duly nominated, were elected to membership of the Society : -

Dr. Lissant Cox felt the footnote to the document would be a safeguard. It was reported that the General Purposes Committee had decided to advise the Council to increase the capitation grant from Is. to 2s. 6d. per head for the Groups. I f this increase is confirmed, it was decided that the Hon. Secretary should prepare a statement on the objects and activities of the Group for circulation to all members, and to medical officers of health to distribute to tuberculosis officers who were not yet members. In a discussion on the " Association of Municipal Specialists," information was given that tuberculosis officers are considered to be municipal specialists and would be represented. A report o£ the previous meeting of the Joint Tuberculosis Council was given. The Council representative presented his report and was thanked for the hard work he had put in. A resolution proposed by Dr. Townsend and seconded by Dr. Edwards was " that all medical officers shall be entitled to have travelling and subsistence allowances paid for reasonable visits to professional meetings, hospitals, and similar activities necessary to keep them abreast of current advances in their work." This was carried unanimously.

SOUTHERN BRANCH President: Dr. Catherine Avery (M.O.H., Winchester R.D.C.). Hon. Secretary: Dr. H. C. Maurice Williams, O.B.E. (M.O.H., Southampton). ,A meeting was held at Southampton on April 6th. Dr. C. H. Avery was in the chair, and there were ten members present. The minutes of the meeting held on March 27th, were approved as correct and signed by the Chairman. Members considered the revised draft of salary scales, based on recommendations from branches and groups, and from individual members of the Society. A photographic display has been produced for use in the educational campaign on venereal diseases, This display tells frankly what the venereal diseases are, how they are caused, what are their effects, and why skilled treatment should be obtained at the earliest possible stage. It has been prepared for private showing and is intended only for those who wish to see it, and for members of the sexes separately. The display is being offered by the Ministry of Information to factories throughout the country. Copies, on free loan, are available to local authorities through the Central Council for Health Education.

The Central Couflcil for Health Education has now a team of technical officers whose services are available to local authorities, educational institutions, and voluntary organisations for help in their health education work. This team consists of medical men and women with specialised experience in different health fields, two biologist-edueationists, and an educational psychologist. Those who would care to make use of the services of these lecturers should As Fellows.--Boucher, Charles Anthony, M.A., D.M., B.CH. (OXON~.), D.P.H.; apply to Dr. Robert Sutherland, Central Council for Health Educat 1-1alkley, Freda M., M.tl.C.S., L.RRCcP~; Cochrane, George, M.B.. CH.B. (OLAfi.), tion, Tavistock House, Tavistoek Square, London, W.C.1.

•P.H. ; Cole, V i o l e t E l i z a b e t h , M, .. . . . L,R,C*P. ; D a v i e s , J o h n R o d y n , M.R.C.S., L It C P , D T M & H. " D a w s o n , A n n t e M a r g a r e t B.sc. M.B. CH.B. (MANCH), D C.H , ",'~'~,'o_ " ' ~ l ~ e ~ I a r ~ a r e t M B C r i b (LIV)" G a y e A l a n W i l l i s BA M B B C D.P.H. (CANTAB.), M.B., Ctt.B. (MANCH.) ; G r a t t o n , A n n e R o t h w e l I , M.B., CH.B. t~.r~-tr'J- ~o~er l a m e s W K . M.R.C.S.L.R.C.P D.P.H." H a r v e y F C R

M.D. ; Heron-Watson,Frances, M..B.,CH.B,(ST.AND.),D.P.It., Hoffa, Ehzabeth H., Mary, msc., N.B., ILCH.(WA.),D.I'.I~. ; Mackenzm,MeIvflleDouglas, M.D, (LOND.),

L.R.C.P. & S. (EDIN.), D,C.I-L ; J e n k i n s , E r i c M a l c o l m , M.B., CH.B. (EDIN.) ; L e n n o x ,

D.P.H-, D*T.M* ~ i'I* ; Mac.lean, ~ t e p n e n 2~dam, M.B.~ CH.B. (GLAS.), D.P.H. ; M c D o n n e l l , M i c h a e l Francis, M.B. (IRE.), D.P.H. ; M u d i e E l i z a b e t h Caroline, L.R.C.P. ~ S. (EDIN.), L.R.F,P. ~ S. (GLAS.) ; O ' C o n n o r , M a r g a r e t , M;R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.P*H. ; P r i t c h a r d , P e r c i v a l V t v i a n , M,D., M.R:C.p. (EDIN.), D.P.H., F.R.F.P.S. ; Ross, Rodericl~ M . , M.B., CH.B. (EDIN.), D.P.H. ; S m t t h , J o h n , M.D., D.SC., F.R.C.P. (LOND.), D.P.H. ; S t a b l e f o r t h , Gladys,.M.D., iVLB., B.S. (DURH.) ; Stark, Vida, M.D. (GLAS.),

l~.p.If. ; Stinson, Gertrude I-Iilda ~., M.R.e.s.,L.R.C.P. ; Tomlin, Eric Harrat, M.D.,

CH.B. (LEEDS), D.P.H. ] T r a c y , .Susan =Mary, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.p,H. ; V e i t c h , V e r a Cecil M.B., CH B. (EDIN.), Vllllers, t l e n r y , L.R.C.P. ~ S. (IRE.) W a t s o n , Jessie ~ -' ~ ~ CH B (ST AND.) D , P . H . " Whyte Elizabeth Constance M S

CH,~er~LA~),'"~ilti~s,'Dorsi S. 'M.B., Ct}.B. (EDIN'); Williamson, Henr~, M:I3', B.~'~: (~ELF:),'D2-m As Assodate.--Penney, John Ktrk, L.D.S.. R.F.P.S. (GLAg.).

Nominations were reported for election at the next ordinary meeting. The meeting then adjourned.

TUBERCULOSIS GROUP COMMITTEE President: Dr. H. Selby. Hon. Secretary: Dr. R. L. Midgley.

A meeting of the Tuberculosis Group Committee was held at the rooms of the Society on May l l t h , at 10 a.m. The President occupied the chair, and there were 13 other members present, The minutes of the previous meeting were read ~and signed, The revised salaries scale was considered. Some anxiety was felt that tuberculosis officers might be placed in the lower scale, but

The Joint Tuberculosis Council at a meeting on May 12th, discussed several matters of interest. On the recommendation of the Joint Education Committee (upon which the Council and the National Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis are represented), the ComlciI approved the draft constitution for a Tuberculosis Educational Institute. This institute will arrange courses, lectures and demonstrations for the education of doctors, nurses, almoners, and social workers in tuberculosis. It will, it is hoped, act as an information centre in all matters connected with tuberculosis education, and will recommend candidates for N.A.P.T. scholarships. T h e institute will suggest lines of research in tuberculosis, and will generally facilitate and encourage the study of the subject in Great Britain by visitors from overseas. It will work in co-operation with University postgraduate centres and will give them all possible assistance. The Joint Education Committee also recommended the N.A.P.T. to award two £50 scholarships for health visitors, and two scholarships of similar amount for student almoners.

Subscription 31s. 6d. per annum, post free, in advance. Single copies 2s. 6d. post free. "Public Health" is the Official Organ of the Society of Medical Officers of Health and a suitable medium for the advertisement of official appointments vacant in the health service. Space is also available for a certain number of approved commercial advertisements. Application should be made to the Executive Secretary of the Society, a t TaVistoek H ou.~e South, Tavistock Square, W.C. 1. Telephone: Euston 3 9 2 3 . Telegrams: Epidauros, Westcent.