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East Anglian Branch
PUBIAC HEA~LTH, February, 1952
SOCIETY OF MEDICAL OFFICERS OF HEALTH NOTICES
MATERNITY A N D CHILD WE3.,FARE GROUP CLINICAL WEEK-END, OXFORD, MAY 10TH AND llTH, 1952
Preliminary Notice T h e M a t e r n i t y a n d C h i l d W e l f a r e G r o u p is h o l d i n g a Clinical W e e k - e n d at O x f o r d o n S a t u r d a y a n d S u n d a y , M a y 10th a n d 1 l t h , 1952. T h e approval of t h e C h i e f Medical Officer of t h e M i n i s t r y of H e a l t h h a s b e e n r e q u e s t e d . Details of t h e p r o g r a m m e will be circulated to m e m b e r s . Fee for t h e course will be 15s. D. A. CRAIGMILE, 52, M o u n t Park Road, Hun. Assistant Secretary. Ealing, L o n d o n , W.5.
METROPOJ~ITAN BRANCH President: Dr. W. H. Bradley (Sen. M.O. Ministry of Health). A m e e t i n g of t h e B r a n c h will be held at B.M.A. House, Tavistock Square, L o n d o n , W.C.I, on Friday, F e b r u a r y 8th, at 5.30 p.m. Dr. Wilfrid W a r r e n , Physician, B e t h l e m Royal a n d M a u d s l e y Hospitals, will speak on " P r e v e n t i v e Psychiatry, with special reference to children a n d y o u n g people." Town Hall, F . M . DAY, Hun. Secretary. H a m m e r s m i t h , W.6.
SERVICES GROUP President:
Surgeon-Captain D. D u n c a n , O.B.E., R.N.
Meeting, February 8th T h e n e x t m e e t i n g of t h e G r o u p will be held at t h e invitation of the C o m m a n d a n t (Major-General F. R. H. Mollan, cm., O.B.E., K.H~S.) at the Royal A r m y Medical College, Millbank, L o n d o n , S.W.I, on Friday, F e b r u a r y 8th, 1952, at 8 p.m. T h e proceedings will open with a short film a n d will be followed b y d e m o n s t r a t i o n s in subjects of A r m y H e a l t h interest. L i g h t r e f r e s h m e n t s will be served ir~ the College L i b r a r y f r o m 9 p.m. Entrance to t h e College is from John Islip Street (which r u n s f r o m the rear of t h e T a t e Gallery to V a u h a l l Bridge Road), past the G u a r d Room, No. 18 Coml~any R.AAM.C. where cars m a y parked in the Barrack Square."
Annual Dinner, t~areh 14th T h e A n n u a l D i n n e r of t h e Group will be held on Friday, M a r c h 14th, 1952, at Simpsons-in-the-Strand. T h e cost per head will be 25s. exclusive of wines. M e m b e r s m a y invite guests. A n y m e m b e r of t h e Society w h e t h e r or not a m e m b e r of t h e Group, who h a s served at a n y time in H.M. Forces will be very welcome on this occasion. In order to facilitate a r r a n g e m e n t s , m e m b e r s are requested to inform t h e H u n . Secretary as soon as possible, with n a m e s in block letters. T i m e : 7 p.m. for 7.30 p.m. Dress: D i n n e r jackets with decorations. L o n d o n School of t t y g i e n e a n d Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street (Gower Street), G . M . FRIZELLE, L o n d o n , W.C.1. Hun. Secretary.
REPORTS
A N N U A L GENERAL MEETING T h e A n i m a l General M e e t i n g of t h e Society was held at 12.30 p.m., on Friday, D e c e m b e r 21st, 1951, in t h e C o m m i t t e e Room of t h e Society, Tavistoek House South, Tavistock Square, London, W.C.1. T h e President (Dr. W. G. Clark) was in the chair a n d there were also present 12 m e m b e r s of t h e Society. Minutes.--The M i n u t e s of t h e A n n u a l General M e e t i n g held on N o v e m b e r 23rd, 1950, were confirmed a n d signed b y t h e Chairman. Annual Reports and Accounts.---The A n n u a l Reports of t h e Council, of t h e Hun. Treasurer, a n d of the Editor of PUBLIC I-IEALT~r_ for t h e session 1950-51 were received a n d adopted together with t h e Balance Sheet as at September 29th, 1951, a n d t h e I n c o m e a n d E x p e n d i t u r e A c c o u n t for the year e n d e d September 29th, 1951. T h e Executive Secretary reported a letter from a Fellow critieising the net cost of the A n n u a l D i n n e r as s h o w n on t h e
81 expenditure account. T h e m e e t i n g agreed in the desirability of keeping down the cost of this event to t h e Society, b u t it was felt t h a t t h e D i n n e r was t h e ene occasion on w h i c h the Society could entertain its friends a n d represented its " public r e l a t i o n s " expenditure. Appointment of Auditors.---Messrs. Greene, Clements & Co., Chartered A c c o u n t a n t s , of 20, B l o o m s b u r v Square, London, W.C.1, were appointed the A u d i t o r s of the Society. Hun. Solicitors. Messrs. Neish, Howell and Haldane, Solicitors, of 47, W a t l i n g Street, London, E.C.4, were appointed t h e H u n . Solicitors of the Society. Election of Members.~The following candidates h a v i n g been duly pIoposed a n d seconded, were t h e n elected as Fellows of the S o c i e t y : - A n s c o m b e , Beryl Georgina, M.B., Cn.B. (LXV.), D.R.C.O.G.; Barclay, Charles Curror, M.m, CH.B. (EDIN.), D.P.n.; Black, Stanley Alfred Briscoe, M.m (ABERD.), n.P.tI., D.T.M.&n.; Brewster, Howard, M.D., B.CH. (BEEF.), D.P.H.; Brown, H a r r y Birrell, M.B., CH.B. (m..~s.), D.P.H.; Caldwell, A r t h u r Stanle3~, M.B., CraB. (eLAS.), D.P.n.; Cochrane, J a m e s Scott, L.D.S., R.C.S. (EYe..); Colville, M a r g a r e t Eunice, M.m, CH.B. (GLAS.); Dennis, M a r g a r e t L., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. (LONV.); Farooq, M o h a m m e d , B.SC., M.B., mS. (BOMBAY), M.mC.S., L.mC.P., D.P.H., D.T.M.; G r a h a m , J a n e t Fraser, M.B., CH.B. (GLAS.), n.P.H., D.e.H.; Holtby, Gerald Rookledge, M.B., ms., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. (LOND.), D.P.H.; H u g h e s , T o m Evans, M.R.C.S. (ENG.), L.mC.P. (LOND.); lnnes, J a m e s A l e x a n d e r L i n d s a y , M.B., CH.m (ABERD.), D.T.M.&H.; Mair, J o h n M., M.B., CH.B. (ABERD.), D.P.H.; Meade, Caroline A n n e , M.B.. B.s. (LOND.), D.P.tI.; Miller, Jean Ferguson, L.D.S., R.C.S. (EDIN.); Murdock, J a m e s Ronald, B.A., M.D. (DUB.), D.P.tt., D.C.H.; Nelson, Alastair Morrison, M.B., Cn.B. (EDIN.), D.P.H.; Niven, Robert John, Lt:-Col., R.A.M.C., M.B., B.S. (LOND.), D.P.H.; Roads, Peter George, M.D., B.S. (LOND.), M.R.C.S.~ L.R.C.I'., D.P.H.~ Simpson, John, M.m, CH.m (GLAS.), D.P.II.; Steedc, Francis D e s m o n d FitzGerald, M.B., B.CtI. (DUB.), n.P.II.; Suttees, A n n e Dey, M.B., CraB. (ABEBB.), D.C.H.; T h o m p s o n , Irene Margaret, M.m, a.cm, mA.O. (BELF.), D.P.H.; W a t k i n , Iestyn M o r g a n , PH.D. (LOND.), M.SC., M.B., B.CH., D.P.H. (WALES); Weir, I a n B. I,., B.SC., M.B., Ctt.B. (GLAS.), D.P.H. T h e n a m e s of candidates for the next e n s u i n g election were reported. T h e r e b e i n g no other business the m e e t i n g t e r m i n a t e d at 12.50 p.m.
EAST ANGLIAN BRANCH President: Dr. R. A. L e a d e r (M.O.H., Ipswich C.B.). Hun. Secretary: Dr. A. J. Rue (Dep. C.M.O., W e s t Suffolk). A m e e t i n g of t h e B r a n c h was held at " T h e Grange," Brome, on Saturday, December 8th, 195], at 3 p.m. T h e President was in t h e c h a i r a n d 13 m e m b e r s were present. Dr. T. Ruddock-West reported upon the last Council m e e t i n g of the Society. It was reported t h a t prophylaxis a g a i n s t t e t a n u s was receiving consideration at the D e p a r t m e n t of H u m a n Ecology, University of Cambridge. a n d m e m b e r s agreed on the steps w h i c h would be t a k e n to assist the D e p a r t m e n t to obtain particulars of cases o c c u r r i n g in East Anglia. A m e m b e r e n q u i r e d w h e t h e r the weekly sickness r e t u r n s of t h e M i n i s t r y of National I n s u r a n c e could be sent direct to District Medical Officers of Health. Considerable discussion took place as to t h e usefulness or otherwise to M.O.H.s of these returns, especially as they referred to areas which were not coincident with C o u n t y Districts. Finally, it was decided t h a t t h e m a t t e r could be dealt with by District M.O.H.s o b t a i n i n g the r e t u r n s from their C o u n t y Medical Officers. T h e Secretary read m e m o r a n d a received t h a t m o r n i n g from t h e Executive Secretary with regard to t h e work, etc., of Sanitary Inspectors. T h e s e were discussed by the m e m b e r s , who instructed the B r a n c h Secretary to i n f o r m t h e Executive Secretary t h a t t h e B r a n c h gave unqualified support to the views expressed in t h e m e m o r a n d a . Dr. C. G. Eastwood, Medical Officer of H e a l t h , City of Cambridge, t h e n gave a very witty a n d a m u s i n g talk on " H o w shall we tell our people ? " in which he gave advice to persons a b o u t to u n d e r t a k e health education. He warned m e m b e r s that, in t h e absence of basic knowledge, visual aids m i g h t confuse r a t h e r t h a n clarify t h e issue. T h e A u s t r a l i a n aborigines, for example, h a d no u n d e r s t a n d i n g of perspective or European pictorial conventions, a n d m a n y people now t h o u g h t of germs as m a n i k i n s with pitchforks. Dr. Eastwood stressed t h e importance of a proper b a c k g r o u n d in general biology (not n a t u r e study) as a preliminary to talks on hygiene, t h a t is, h e a h h education. He t h o u g h t t h a t the staffs of H e a l t h D e p a r t m e n t s s h o u l d be ready to accept opportunities to teach h y g i e n e in schools, as m a n y biology teachers knew very little about hygiene as distinct from n a t u r e study.
PUBLIC H E A L T H , February, 1952
82 A lively discussion fo'dowed as to what various authorities were d o i n g in this matter. One area reported that it had been found that a ~opular and profitable form of health education was for school mavers to pay a WSlt to the Public Health Departm e n t and see the work that was done there day b y day. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Dr. Eastwood for his address. It was suggested that T h e t f o r d might prove a conven'tent centre for meetings and it was decided that the next meeting of the Branch should be held there on February 9th, 1952.
MIDLAND BRANCH President: Dr. C. Starkie (M.O.H., Kidderminster M.B.; Div. M.O., Worcestershire). Hon. Secretary: Dr. W. Alcock (M.O.H., Burton-on-Trent C.B.). T h e second meeting of the session was held at Lancaster Street Welfare Centre, Birmingham, on Thursday, November 1st, 1951, at 3 p.m. The President was in the chair and 23 m e m b e r s attended. T h e Balance Sheet was circulated to members present, but discussion was deferred to the next meeting, owing to the absence of the Hon. Treasurer.
The Care of the Aged Dr. Nagley, Medical Superintendent, Dudley Road Infirmary, based his remarks upon the results of a survey carried out at Dudley Road Infirmary, which have recently appeared in the form of a report of the P l a n n i n g Committee of the Birmingh a m Regional Hospital Board. The report arose largely, owing to lack of precise information about the chronic sick in hospitals. As a result of a survey of 1,005 patients, it .was found that no less t h a n three-fifths did not require hospital treatment at all. Of the remaining two-fifths, about half required all the resources of an acute hospital, and the rest needed care in a mental hospital. T h e problem is a large one. There are 70,000 hospital beds occupied by the chronic sick, and their mean duration of stay is about 34 months. Excluding those patients requiring special services, the solution of the problem would appear to be the establishment of long-stay annexes providing domestic services and simple nursing, which would be the responsibility of regional hospital boards, and domiciliary care, supported b y the services of local health authorities, general practitioners, and voluntary agencies. Dr. Nagley also described, ha detail, the system of dom!ciliarY visiting which is in operation in Birmingham. Dr. Donovan described the care of the aged from the point of view of a general practitioner. T h e general practitioner is the first in the field. Excluding the acute surgical and medical emergencies, there are two major groups which are beyond the capacity of the ordinary household, (a) persons of unsound mind, and (b) those who are incontinent. For these, institutional care is essential. T h e r e is a large number of old persons, however, in whom failing health, lack of means, and ooor housing conditions, are great anxieties, and in whom restricted mobility, chronic bronchitis, and cardio-vascular disorders quickly b r i n g about a state of malnutrition, self-neglect, and minor degrees of mental deterioration. For this group, a great deal can be done, by way of help from the District Nurse, Home Helps, assistance with shopping, and the provision of washing and lavatory facilities on ground level, whilst much can be done to raise morale, b y the provision of old people's clubs and special provision for employment, either in special factories or in homecraft. A very interesting discussion followed, in which Drs. Lawson, Martine, Owen, and Ross took part. A vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Jolly, seconded by Dr. Melville and carried unanimously. NORTHERN BRANCH President: Dr. J. V. Walker (M.O.H., Darlington C.B.). Hon. Secretary: Dr. W. S. Walton, O.M. (M.O.H., Newcastleupon-Tyne C.B.). T h e A n n u a l Meeting of the Branch was held in the Board Room, Elswick Grange, Neweastle-upon-Tyne, on Friday, November 23rd, 1951. The President was in the chair and 30 members and two guests attended. T h e President, on behalf of the Hon. Secretary, submitted a letter from Mr. F. J. Gilbertson intimating his retirem e n t from the N o r t h u m b e r l a n d C.C. Dental Service and formally resigning from the Branch. In reply to Dr. Grant, the President stated that he did not think that Mr. Gilbertson was
eligible for nomination for life membership, but thc mattcr would be looked into. T h e President, on behalf of the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, submitted the A n n u a l Report of the Council, together with the Financial Statement, which showed a credit balance of £25 16s. 7d. The Report was adopted unanimously. T h e following were elected to the Branch Council: Drs. J. Grant, J. B. Tilley, E. F. Dawson-Walker, M. W. Dewell, A. S. Hebblethwaite, W. J. Pierce, M. Hopper, A. I. Messer, W. Minns, E. Browell, I. McCraeken, and G. Wilson, together with the President (Dr. J. V. Walker), the Vice-President (Dr. H. J. Peters), the Hon. Secretary (Dr. W. S. Walton), and the British Medical Association representatives (Dr. H. H. G o o d m a n and Dr. H. L. Taylor). It was agreed that the Annual Dinner be held as usual, the provisional date being Friday, March 21st, 1952. The President (Dr. J. v . Walker) delivered his Presidential Address oil " A n Experiment in Health Education " (published in the last issue of PUBLIC HEALTH). O n the motion of Dr. W. J. pierce, he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.
SOUTHERN BRANCH President: Dr. N. F. Pearson (M.O.H., North Dorset C.D.). Hon. Secretary: Dr. E. J. Gordon Wallace (M.O.H., Weymouth M.B.). A meeting of the Branch was held at the Crown Hotel, Blandlord, on Friday, October 19th, 1951. A t the c o m m e n c e m e n t Dr. Chesnev took the chair in the absence of the retiring President (Dr. Lindsay). T e n other members attended. Correspondence.--Letter dated August 4th, 1951, was read from the Hon. Secretary of the Tuberculosis Group Committee of the Society enquiring whether Dr. W. 1. Hart, of Chandlers Ford, would still be representing the Southern Branch on this Committee. T h e Hon. Secretary stated that he understood that Dr. Hart had now retired and did not wish to take any active part in the Society. It was proposed that Dr. Arnold Clark should be approached to see whether he would agree to serve on the T.B. Group Committee in succession tO Dr. W . J. Hart. (Dr.Clark has since agreed to serve.) T h e report of the Hon. Treasurer was presented b y the Hon. Secretary in the absence of Dr. H. L. Cronk. T h e financial statement for the year April 1st, 1950, to March 31st, 1951, was adopted and the Hon. Secretary was requested to convey to Dr. Cronk the Branch's very deep appreciation for his services as Hon. Treasurer. Installation of President.---The President-elect, Dr. N. F. Pearson, of N o r t h Dorset Combined Districts, was then installed as President b y Dr. G. Chesney, who invested h i m with the badge of office. Dr. Pearson thallked the m e m b e r s for the honour they had done him and delivered his Presidential Address on " C a r e of Aged Persons in a Rural District with Particular Reference to their Housing." On the proposition of Dr. Chesney a most hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the President for his stimulating and enjoyable paper, which is published on other pages of this issue. Clinical Cases of Interest.--Dr. Lisney reported that seven cases of Bornholm disease had come to light in the county; these were being investigated b y the Medical Research Council bacteriologist; all the cases were in the practice of the same doctor and occurred in close proximity to each other. Dr. Pearson said that when 34 cases of Bornholm disease had occurred in a public school he had gone along with the medical officer of the school and found that all the cases occurred within a fortnight or three weeks. T h e symptoms were severe headache, neurological manifestations, the majority having pain in the sub-costal region and one or two with abdominal pain. A n interesting discussion then took place on the possible connection between Bornholm disease and poliomyelitis. Thirteen members and guests afterwards dined together.
A meeting of the Branch was held at The Castle, Winchester, on Friday, November 16th, 1951. T h e President was in the chair and 21 members and eight visitors attended. Correspondence.--Letter dated November 12th, 1951, was read from t h e Assistant Secretary of the Society of Medical Officers of Health informing the Branch that Dr. H. Gordon Smith, formerly Medical Officer of Health, County Borough of Bournemouth, now retired and living in Warwickshire, is entitled to be nominated for life m e m b e r s h i p of the Society.
SOCIETY OF MEDICAL OFFICERS OF HEALTH NOTICES
MATERNITY A N D CHILD WE3.,FARE GROUP CLINICAL WEEK-END, OXFORD, MAY 10TH AND llTH, 1952
Preliminary Notice T h e M a t e r n i t y a n d C h i l d W e l f a r e G r o u p is h o l d i n g a Clinical W e e k - e n d at O x f o r d o n S a t u r d a y a n d S u n d a y , M a y 10th a n d 1 l t h , 1952. T h e approval of t h e C h i e f Medical Officer of t h e M i n i s t r y of H e a l t h h a s b e e n r e q u e s t e d . Details of t h e p r o g r a m m e will be circulated to m e m b e r s . Fee for t h e course will be 15s. D. A. CRAIGMILE, 52, M o u n t Park Road, Hun. Assistant Secretary. Ealing, L o n d o n , W.5.
METROPOJ~ITAN BRANCH President: Dr. W. H. Bradley (Sen. M.O. Ministry of Health). A m e e t i n g of t h e B r a n c h will be held at B.M.A. House, Tavistock Square, L o n d o n , W.C.I, on Friday, F e b r u a r y 8th, at 5.30 p.m. Dr. Wilfrid W a r r e n , Physician, B e t h l e m Royal a n d M a u d s l e y Hospitals, will speak on " P r e v e n t i v e Psychiatry, with special reference to children a n d y o u n g people." Town Hall, F . M . DAY, Hun. Secretary. H a m m e r s m i t h , W.6.
SERVICES GROUP President:
Surgeon-Captain D. D u n c a n , O.B.E., R.N.
Meeting, February 8th T h e n e x t m e e t i n g of t h e G r o u p will be held at t h e invitation of the C o m m a n d a n t (Major-General F. R. H. Mollan, cm., O.B.E., K.H~S.) at the Royal A r m y Medical College, Millbank, L o n d o n , S.W.I, on Friday, F e b r u a r y 8th, 1952, at 8 p.m. T h e proceedings will open with a short film a n d will be followed b y d e m o n s t r a t i o n s in subjects of A r m y H e a l t h interest. L i g h t r e f r e s h m e n t s will be served ir~ the College L i b r a r y f r o m 9 p.m. Entrance to t h e College is from John Islip Street (which r u n s f r o m the rear of t h e T a t e Gallery to V a u h a l l Bridge Road), past the G u a r d Room, No. 18 Coml~any R.AAM.C. where cars m a y parked in the Barrack Square."
Annual Dinner, t~areh 14th T h e A n n u a l D i n n e r of t h e Group will be held on Friday, M a r c h 14th, 1952, at Simpsons-in-the-Strand. T h e cost per head will be 25s. exclusive of wines. M e m b e r s m a y invite guests. A n y m e m b e r of t h e Society w h e t h e r or not a m e m b e r of t h e Group, who h a s served at a n y time in H.M. Forces will be very welcome on this occasion. In order to facilitate a r r a n g e m e n t s , m e m b e r s are requested to inform t h e H u n . Secretary as soon as possible, with n a m e s in block letters. T i m e : 7 p.m. for 7.30 p.m. Dress: D i n n e r jackets with decorations. L o n d o n School of t t y g i e n e a n d Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street (Gower Street), G . M . FRIZELLE, L o n d o n , W.C.1. Hun. Secretary.
REPORTS
A N N U A L GENERAL MEETING T h e A n i m a l General M e e t i n g of t h e Society was held at 12.30 p.m., on Friday, D e c e m b e r 21st, 1951, in t h e C o m m i t t e e Room of t h e Society, Tavistoek House South, Tavistock Square, London, W.C.1. T h e President (Dr. W. G. Clark) was in the chair a n d there were also present 12 m e m b e r s of t h e Society. Minutes.--The M i n u t e s of t h e A n n u a l General M e e t i n g held on N o v e m b e r 23rd, 1950, were confirmed a n d signed b y t h e Chairman. Annual Reports and Accounts.---The A n n u a l Reports of t h e Council, of t h e Hun. Treasurer, a n d of the Editor of PUBLIC I-IEALT~r_ for t h e session 1950-51 were received a n d adopted together with t h e Balance Sheet as at September 29th, 1951, a n d t h e I n c o m e a n d E x p e n d i t u r e A c c o u n t for the year e n d e d September 29th, 1951. T h e Executive Secretary reported a letter from a Fellow critieising the net cost of the A n n u a l D i n n e r as s h o w n on t h e
81 expenditure account. T h e m e e t i n g agreed in the desirability of keeping down the cost of this event to t h e Society, b u t it was felt t h a t t h e D i n n e r was t h e ene occasion on w h i c h the Society could entertain its friends a n d represented its " public r e l a t i o n s " expenditure. Appointment of Auditors.---Messrs. Greene, Clements & Co., Chartered A c c o u n t a n t s , of 20, B l o o m s b u r v Square, London, W.C.1, were appointed the A u d i t o r s of the Society. Hun. Solicitors. Messrs. Neish, Howell and Haldane, Solicitors, of 47, W a t l i n g Street, London, E.C.4, were appointed t h e H u n . Solicitors of the Society. Election of Members.~The following candidates h a v i n g been duly pIoposed a n d seconded, were t h e n elected as Fellows of the S o c i e t y : - A n s c o m b e , Beryl Georgina, M.B., Cn.B. (LXV.), D.R.C.O.G.; Barclay, Charles Curror, M.m, CH.B. (EDIN.), D.P.n.; Black, Stanley Alfred Briscoe, M.m (ABERD.), n.P.tI., D.T.M.&n.; Brewster, Howard, M.D., B.CH. (BEEF.), D.P.H.; Brown, H a r r y Birrell, M.B., CH.B. (m..~s.), D.P.H.; Caldwell, A r t h u r Stanle3~, M.B., CraB. (eLAS.), D.P.n.; Cochrane, J a m e s Scott, L.D.S., R.C.S. (EYe..); Colville, M a r g a r e t Eunice, M.m, CH.B. (GLAS.); Dennis, M a r g a r e t L., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. (LONV.); Farooq, M o h a m m e d , B.SC., M.B., mS. (BOMBAY), M.mC.S., L.mC.P., D.P.H., D.T.M.; G r a h a m , J a n e t Fraser, M.B., CH.B. (GLAS.), n.P.H., D.e.H.; Holtby, Gerald Rookledge, M.B., ms., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. (LOND.), D.P.H.; H u g h e s , T o m Evans, M.R.C.S. (ENG.), L.mC.P. (LOND.); lnnes, J a m e s A l e x a n d e r L i n d s a y , M.B., CH.m (ABERD.), D.T.M.&H.; Mair, J o h n M., M.B., CH.B. (ABERD.), D.P.H.; Meade, Caroline A n n e , M.B.. B.s. (LOND.), D.P.tI.; Miller, Jean Ferguson, L.D.S., R.C.S. (EDIN.); Murdock, J a m e s Ronald, B.A., M.D. (DUB.), D.P.tt., D.C.H.; Nelson, Alastair Morrison, M.B., Cn.B. (EDIN.), D.P.H.; Niven, Robert John, Lt:-Col., R.A.M.C., M.B., B.S. (LOND.), D.P.H.; Roads, Peter George, M.D., B.S. (LOND.), M.R.C.S.~ L.R.C.I'., D.P.H.~ Simpson, John, M.m, CH.m (GLAS.), D.P.II.; Steedc, Francis D e s m o n d FitzGerald, M.B., B.CtI. (DUB.), n.P.II.; Suttees, A n n e Dey, M.B., CraB. (ABEBB.), D.C.H.; T h o m p s o n , Irene Margaret, M.m, a.cm, mA.O. (BELF.), D.P.H.; W a t k i n , Iestyn M o r g a n , PH.D. (LOND.), M.SC., M.B., B.CH., D.P.H. (WALES); Weir, I a n B. I,., B.SC., M.B., Ctt.B. (GLAS.), D.P.H. T h e n a m e s of candidates for the next e n s u i n g election were reported. T h e r e b e i n g no other business the m e e t i n g t e r m i n a t e d at 12.50 p.m.
EAST ANGLIAN BRANCH President: Dr. R. A. L e a d e r (M.O.H., Ipswich C.B.). Hun. Secretary: Dr. A. J. Rue (Dep. C.M.O., W e s t Suffolk). A m e e t i n g of t h e B r a n c h was held at " T h e Grange," Brome, on Saturday, December 8th, 195], at 3 p.m. T h e President was in t h e c h a i r a n d 13 m e m b e r s were present. Dr. T. Ruddock-West reported upon the last Council m e e t i n g of the Society. It was reported t h a t prophylaxis a g a i n s t t e t a n u s was receiving consideration at the D e p a r t m e n t of H u m a n Ecology, University of Cambridge. a n d m e m b e r s agreed on the steps w h i c h would be t a k e n to assist the D e p a r t m e n t to obtain particulars of cases o c c u r r i n g in East Anglia. A m e m b e r e n q u i r e d w h e t h e r the weekly sickness r e t u r n s of t h e M i n i s t r y of National I n s u r a n c e could be sent direct to District Medical Officers of Health. Considerable discussion took place as to t h e usefulness or otherwise to M.O.H.s of these returns, especially as they referred to areas which were not coincident with C o u n t y Districts. Finally, it was decided t h a t t h e m a t t e r could be dealt with by District M.O.H.s o b t a i n i n g the r e t u r n s from their C o u n t y Medical Officers. T h e Secretary read m e m o r a n d a received t h a t m o r n i n g from t h e Executive Secretary with regard to t h e work, etc., of Sanitary Inspectors. T h e s e were discussed by the m e m b e r s , who instructed the B r a n c h Secretary to i n f o r m t h e Executive Secretary t h a t t h e B r a n c h gave unqualified support to the views expressed in t h e m e m o r a n d a . Dr. C. G. Eastwood, Medical Officer of H e a l t h , City of Cambridge, t h e n gave a very witty a n d a m u s i n g talk on " H o w shall we tell our people ? " in which he gave advice to persons a b o u t to u n d e r t a k e health education. He warned m e m b e r s that, in t h e absence of basic knowledge, visual aids m i g h t confuse r a t h e r t h a n clarify t h e issue. T h e A u s t r a l i a n aborigines, for example, h a d no u n d e r s t a n d i n g of perspective or European pictorial conventions, a n d m a n y people now t h o u g h t of germs as m a n i k i n s with pitchforks. Dr. Eastwood stressed t h e importance of a proper b a c k g r o u n d in general biology (not n a t u r e study) as a preliminary to talks on hygiene, t h a t is, h e a h h education. He t h o u g h t t h a t the staffs of H e a l t h D e p a r t m e n t s s h o u l d be ready to accept opportunities to teach h y g i e n e in schools, as m a n y biology teachers knew very little about hygiene as distinct from n a t u r e study.
PUBLIC H E A L T H , February, 1952
82 A lively discussion fo'dowed as to what various authorities were d o i n g in this matter. One area reported that it had been found that a ~opular and profitable form of health education was for school mavers to pay a WSlt to the Public Health Departm e n t and see the work that was done there day b y day. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Dr. Eastwood for his address. It was suggested that T h e t f o r d might prove a conven'tent centre for meetings and it was decided that the next meeting of the Branch should be held there on February 9th, 1952.
MIDLAND BRANCH President: Dr. C. Starkie (M.O.H., Kidderminster M.B.; Div. M.O., Worcestershire). Hon. Secretary: Dr. W. Alcock (M.O.H., Burton-on-Trent C.B.). T h e second meeting of the session was held at Lancaster Street Welfare Centre, Birmingham, on Thursday, November 1st, 1951, at 3 p.m. The President was in the chair and 23 m e m b e r s attended. T h e Balance Sheet was circulated to members present, but discussion was deferred to the next meeting, owing to the absence of the Hon. Treasurer.
The Care of the Aged Dr. Nagley, Medical Superintendent, Dudley Road Infirmary, based his remarks upon the results of a survey carried out at Dudley Road Infirmary, which have recently appeared in the form of a report of the P l a n n i n g Committee of the Birmingh a m Regional Hospital Board. The report arose largely, owing to lack of precise information about the chronic sick in hospitals. As a result of a survey of 1,005 patients, it .was found that no less t h a n three-fifths did not require hospital treatment at all. Of the remaining two-fifths, about half required all the resources of an acute hospital, and the rest needed care in a mental hospital. T h e problem is a large one. There are 70,000 hospital beds occupied by the chronic sick, and their mean duration of stay is about 34 months. Excluding those patients requiring special services, the solution of the problem would appear to be the establishment of long-stay annexes providing domestic services and simple nursing, which would be the responsibility of regional hospital boards, and domiciliary care, supported b y the services of local health authorities, general practitioners, and voluntary agencies. Dr. Nagley also described, ha detail, the system of dom!ciliarY visiting which is in operation in Birmingham. Dr. Donovan described the care of the aged from the point of view of a general practitioner. T h e general practitioner is the first in the field. Excluding the acute surgical and medical emergencies, there are two major groups which are beyond the capacity of the ordinary household, (a) persons of unsound mind, and (b) those who are incontinent. For these, institutional care is essential. T h e r e is a large number of old persons, however, in whom failing health, lack of means, and ooor housing conditions, are great anxieties, and in whom restricted mobility, chronic bronchitis, and cardio-vascular disorders quickly b r i n g about a state of malnutrition, self-neglect, and minor degrees of mental deterioration. For this group, a great deal can be done, by way of help from the District Nurse, Home Helps, assistance with shopping, and the provision of washing and lavatory facilities on ground level, whilst much can be done to raise morale, b y the provision of old people's clubs and special provision for employment, either in special factories or in homecraft. A very interesting discussion followed, in which Drs. Lawson, Martine, Owen, and Ross took part. A vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Jolly, seconded by Dr. Melville and carried unanimously. NORTHERN BRANCH President: Dr. J. V. Walker (M.O.H., Darlington C.B.). Hon. Secretary: Dr. W. S. Walton, O.M. (M.O.H., Newcastleupon-Tyne C.B.). T h e A n n u a l Meeting of the Branch was held in the Board Room, Elswick Grange, Neweastle-upon-Tyne, on Friday, November 23rd, 1951. The President was in the chair and 30 members and two guests attended. T h e President, on behalf of the Hon. Secretary, submitted a letter from Mr. F. J. Gilbertson intimating his retirem e n t from the N o r t h u m b e r l a n d C.C. Dental Service and formally resigning from the Branch. In reply to Dr. Grant, the President stated that he did not think that Mr. Gilbertson was
eligible for nomination for life membership, but thc mattcr would be looked into. T h e President, on behalf of the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, submitted the A n n u a l Report of the Council, together with the Financial Statement, which showed a credit balance of £25 16s. 7d. The Report was adopted unanimously. T h e following were elected to the Branch Council: Drs. J. Grant, J. B. Tilley, E. F. Dawson-Walker, M. W. Dewell, A. S. Hebblethwaite, W. J. Pierce, M. Hopper, A. I. Messer, W. Minns, E. Browell, I. McCraeken, and G. Wilson, together with the President (Dr. J. V. Walker), the Vice-President (Dr. H. J. Peters), the Hon. Secretary (Dr. W. S. Walton), and the British Medical Association representatives (Dr. H. H. G o o d m a n and Dr. H. L. Taylor). It was agreed that the Annual Dinner be held as usual, the provisional date being Friday, March 21st, 1952. The President (Dr. J. v . Walker) delivered his Presidential Address oil " A n Experiment in Health Education " (published in the last issue of PUBLIC HEALTH). O n the motion of Dr. W. J. pierce, he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.
SOUTHERN BRANCH President: Dr. N. F. Pearson (M.O.H., North Dorset C.D.). Hon. Secretary: Dr. E. J. Gordon Wallace (M.O.H., Weymouth M.B.). A meeting of the Branch was held at the Crown Hotel, Blandlord, on Friday, October 19th, 1951. A t the c o m m e n c e m e n t Dr. Chesnev took the chair in the absence of the retiring President (Dr. Lindsay). T e n other members attended. Correspondence.--Letter dated August 4th, 1951, was read from the Hon. Secretary of the Tuberculosis Group Committee of the Society enquiring whether Dr. W. 1. Hart, of Chandlers Ford, would still be representing the Southern Branch on this Committee. T h e Hon. Secretary stated that he understood that Dr. Hart had now retired and did not wish to take any active part in the Society. It was proposed that Dr. Arnold Clark should be approached to see whether he would agree to serve on the T.B. Group Committee in succession tO Dr. W . J. Hart. (Dr.Clark has since agreed to serve.) T h e report of the Hon. Treasurer was presented b y the Hon. Secretary in the absence of Dr. H. L. Cronk. T h e financial statement for the year April 1st, 1950, to March 31st, 1951, was adopted and the Hon. Secretary was requested to convey to Dr. Cronk the Branch's very deep appreciation for his services as Hon. Treasurer. Installation of President.---The President-elect, Dr. N. F. Pearson, of N o r t h Dorset Combined Districts, was then installed as President b y Dr. G. Chesney, who invested h i m with the badge of office. Dr. Pearson thallked the m e m b e r s for the honour they had done him and delivered his Presidential Address on " C a r e of Aged Persons in a Rural District with Particular Reference to their Housing." On the proposition of Dr. Chesney a most hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the President for his stimulating and enjoyable paper, which is published on other pages of this issue. Clinical Cases of Interest.--Dr. Lisney reported that seven cases of Bornholm disease had come to light in the county; these were being investigated b y the Medical Research Council bacteriologist; all the cases were in the practice of the same doctor and occurred in close proximity to each other. Dr. Pearson said that when 34 cases of Bornholm disease had occurred in a public school he had gone along with the medical officer of the school and found that all the cases occurred within a fortnight or three weeks. T h e symptoms were severe headache, neurological manifestations, the majority having pain in the sub-costal region and one or two with abdominal pain. A n interesting discussion then took place on the possible connection between Bornholm disease and poliomyelitis. Thirteen members and guests afterwards dined together.
A meeting of the Branch was held at The Castle, Winchester, on Friday, November 16th, 1951. T h e President was in the chair and 21 members and eight visitors attended. Correspondence.--Letter dated November 12th, 1951, was read from t h e Assistant Secretary of the Society of Medical Officers of Health informing the Branch that Dr. H. Gordon Smith, formerly Medical Officer of Health, County Borough of Bournemouth, now retired and living in Warwickshire, is entitled to be nominated for life m e m b e r s h i p of the Society.