General Purposes Committee Meeting

PuBUc HEALTH SOCIETY OF MEDICAL OFFICERS OF HEALTH GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE MEETING 1. A meeting of the General Purposes Committee was held at Tavistock House, Tavistock Square, W.C.1, on Friday, May 28rd, 194t, at 12 noon. Present: Dr. Cyril Banks (Chairman), Drs. J. S. Anderson, Vynne Borland, G. F. Buehan, J. J. Buchan, James Fenton, R. H. H. Jolly, Catherine Morris Jones, Prof. R. M. F. Picken, Drs. J. A. Stirling, R. Sutherland, Ernest Ward and F. T. H. Wood. Apologies for absence were received from Sir Win. Savage and Dr. H. Gibbons Ward. 2. Minutes of the meeting held on November 15.h, 1940, were confirmed and signed. 8. The Committee considered a letter from the Maternity and Child Welfare Group in reference to the National Milk Scheme. The Group submitted that the leaflet of directions enclosed with the tins of dried milk is unsatisfactory and contentious in several respects, and recommended that the packets be marked simply with directions as to how to convert the dried milk into the equivalent of liquid milk, together with an instruction thai advice should be obtained from a private doctor, or a welfare centre, as to the exact dilutions, additions, and size of feed necessary for each child. After some discussion it was decided to ask the M. & C.W. Group to draft leaflets for distribution with the National Dried Milk and with Special Milks, and that subject to approval by the President and by the Chairman of the General Purposes Committee, copies of the drafts should be forwarded to the Ministry of Health. 4. Correspondence was considered from Dr. J. Walker and Dr. J. A. Charles in reference to the administration of school medical services in the county of Northumberland. It was agreed that a letter should be addressed by the Chairman to Sir Wilson Jameson in support of the principle that the Society should cooperate with the British Medical Association in bringing this matter to the notice of the Board of Education and the Ministry of Health, and that Dr. Charles be asked to follow up his action at the Ministry in support of Dr. Walker's case. 5. The President, the Editor and the Chairman of the General Purposes Committee were appointed to report on papers eligible for awards of the Neeeh Prize for the Sessions 1938-89 and 1989-40. 6. A letter was received from the Central Council for the Care of Cripples stating that it has recently become an incorporated company, limited by guarantee and asking the Society to become an " Associate Society" under the revised constitution. It was agreed to accept this change of category and to continue Drs. T. P. Puddicombe and Ernest Ward as the Society's representatives on the Central Council. 7. A letter was considered from a medical officer of health in reference to a resolution recently passed by his Council that all correspondence addressed to their officials shall be opened by the clerk, sorted and passed

JULY to the various officials. The M.O.H. asked if his Council have power to insist upon his letters being opened without his consent ; and what action, if any, he should take in the matter. It was agreed that the M.O.H. should appeal for reconsideration of this decision on the ground that much of his correspondence is of a confidential character, and that in certain connections, e.g., venereal diseases and tuberculosis, secrecy is a definite requirement. 8. The Association of Municipal Corporations asked for comment on the follow'pg letter from a Town Clerk : " I am instructed by the Council to inquire if you can inform me what action other local authorities am adopting with regard to the fees payable to medical practitioners in respect of diphtheria immunisation ? " I understanc[ that the British Medical Association have fixed a fee 6f £ 1 1ls. 6d. for a session of two hours, but that some medical practitioners are taking objection to this, and that other local authorities are paying a capitation fee per head and providing serum." It was agreed to reply that the B.M.A, fee had been generally adopted, but that variations had been approved to meet special conditions in certain areas. 9. A letter was received from the Yorkshire Branch recommending that the Council of the Society should direct the attention of the Minister of Health to the fact that scabies is frequently introduced into households by members of the Services home on leave, and by imported labour from other areas ; and that much could be done to prevent the spread of the disease if a careful examination were made of all members of the Services going on leave, and of all persons about to be transferred to other areas by the Ministry of Labour. The Committee hesitated to make any suggestion that might be regarded as an unfair reflection on H.M. Forces, but it was agreed that the Ministry of Health should be asked to draw attention to the difficulties in connection with scabies, and to ask the co-operation of the naval, military, air force and labour authorities in measures necessary for its control. 10. A letter from Dr. N. Chadwick (Hove) drew attention to complaints regarding the present system of rationing milk. It was reported that this matter was receiving the attention of the B.M.A. and that any further action was unnecessary at present. I t. A letter from Dr. H. G. Trayer, drawing attention to Circular 2340, page 5, appendix 2, section 8, subsection 2, issued by the Ministry of Health under date April llth, 1941 (Tuberculosis Nursing Services), was referred for consideration by the Tuberculosis Group. It. Other matters having been deferred for further consideration, the Committee then adjourned. COUNCIL MEETING A meeting of the Council was held at Tavistock House, Tavistock Square, W.C.1, on Friday, May 28rd, 1941, at 2.80 p.m., with the President (Dr. F. T. H. Wood) in the chair. There were present Drs. J. S. Anderson, Cyril Banks, H. Stanley Banks, Vynne Bortand, G. F. Buchan, J. J. Buchan, H. W. Catto, James Fenton, J. M. Gibson, R. H. H. Jolly, Catherine Morris Jones, Gordon Lilico,