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Ministry of health publications
1939
PUBLIC H E A L T H
logical traumata to these classes of the community not only by the direct effect of bombs but by the crowding into shelters, exposure to the weather in unfavourable Clinical Paediatrics (The Baby). Edited by W. R. F. circumstances and disorganisation of normal life and COLLIS, M.D., F.R.C.P., D.P.H,, P~ediatrician, Rotunda habits. Dr. Freeman pointed out the further advantages Hospital ; Physician, National Children's Hospital, of evacuation in that fewer shelters need be constructed Dublin, and contributed to by various physicians in the danger zones and that the population left in these of the Dublin School. 1938. London : William areas would be principally composed of adults who Heinemann (Medical Books), Ltd. pp. 460. could to a large extent look after themselves. Price 21s. The memorandum dealt with general considerations The quality of this book is perhaps a little belied by as to administration, definitions of evacuation and its name. Chapters devoted to the more elementary reception areas, ascertainment of the evacuable child principles (and the chief contingencies) of pa~diatric population with provision of identity discs, arrangements practice, i.e., problems of infant feeding, nursery for travel and reception of mothers and children includ- behaviour and the general hygiene of childhood, are ing the provision of hospital and obstetric facilities in as brief as possible, omit much and adopt a consistently the reception areas, precautionary measures against easy, steady and non-faddy tone--admirable background epidemics, and suggestions for feeding and supervising if somewhat exiguous fodder for the student anxious to the evacuated populations. learn more about child patients. No virtue is given or The Chairman opened a discussion which was con- claimed-for odd or elaborate treatments--a quality in tinued by Drs. Smithard, Nash, Maitland Radford, itself striking in a book based frankly on hospital Nicoll, Hogarth, Emslie and Back. The memorandum practice and showing in other places a very live interest in received the general approval of the meeting and after academic theory and a wide contact with abnormal two amendments on minor points had been proposed cases. The treatment of the subject matter is straightby Dr. Nicoll, seconded by Dr. Hirst and carried, Dr. forward, dogmatic--one might almost in parts say Freeman proposed and Dr. Hirst seconded that the cursory. But are things really so simple as all that ? memorandum be sent for the consideration of the One might question whether it is in fact wise in these Standing Committee of the Society on Air Raid Pre- days, in discussing, to take one instance, artificial feeding, cautions. Dr. Freeman said that it was the hope of to dogmatise and suggest only" one method--boiled the compilers of the memorandum that it would serve cow's milk--leaving dried milks and other foods with to awaken discussion on the subject and contribute to all their infinite modifications and their carefully bring about the final solution of problems which may designed complexity to the limbo of a tiny, undiscriminbecome urgent at any moment. This proposal was ating paragraph in the chapter on dyspepsias. It is carried unanimously and the proceedings closed with a useful, certainly, not to be confused by too much knowhearty vote of thanks to the speakers, proposed by Dr. ledge, but will the physician in practice succeed by the Emstie and carried with acclamation. firmness of his adhesion to one idea or by the immediate understanding he can show, not only of all the things babies can do, normally and abnormally, but of all the MINISTRY OF HEALTH PUBLICATIONS objections and modifications mothers and nurses can Circular 1750. Price 2d. net. By post 2~d. Town and propound of their own opinion and experience, in Country Planning Act, 1932. Control of premature or opposition to his chosen method ? We are of the unsightly development in the country and on the sea coast. opinion that the student cannot be too fully informed as Circular 1755. Price 2d. net. By post 2½d. Food and Drugs Act, 1938. Explains to Local Authorities, etc., the to p~ediatric methods, dealing with all aspects of child general effect of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, which culture, and in this the book has obvious omissions. But it would be a carping criticism to suggest that this comes into operation on October 1st, 1939. Circular 1756. Building Byelaws. Refers to previous is all. The greater part of the book deals withpathological circulars to local authorities on the subject of building bye- conditions and diagnosis, and the experienced p~ediatrist, laws under the Public Health Act, 1936, and again reminds them that existing byelaws will cease to operate on July 31st, and in particular the welfare doctor, will appreciate the 1939. Expresses the Minister's intention to re-constitute wealth of valuable, up-to-date information that is comthe Advisory Committee on Building Byelaws at an appro- pressed within its pages and the guidance given as to priate time, to examine certain suggestions made for addi- treatment. At any moment in the welfare centre the tions to the model byelaws, but making it clear that that examination cannot be completed before July 31st, 1939. innocent student of normal infancy, the teacher of Advises local authorities to base their proposals for new bye- homely methods of management, may be faced with a laws closely on the present model and asks them to state at major abnormality--not necessarily an acute condition, once when their proposals may be expected. but the evidences of organic breakdown or of serious Circular 1758 S/14. Price ld. net. By post lid. (encloses S.R. & O. of 1938). No. 1509. Price 2d. net. By post deficiency. It is important that. he or she should know 2.~d., and Tables, price ld. net. By post l~d. Local with what he is dealing and the most suitable lines and Government Superannuation Act, 1937. Encloses the Local opportunities for treatment. Being the friend and Government Superannuation (Surrender of Superannuation confidant of the mother what he or she says will often Allowance) Rules, 1938 (S.R. & O. 1938, No. 1509--Order 93676), and Tables prepared by the Government Actuary " go " in contradistinction to the advice proffered on a for the Allocation of Part of Superannuation Benefits to casual visit to the hospital out-patient department. For Wife or Husband. this reason welfare doctors must keep " up " their Form H256. Housing. Requests Clerks to Local Authori- clinical medicine and no better opportunity covering the ties to furnish a return of the progress made up to December 31st, 1938, under the Housing Act, 1930, with respect to various fields involved can be offered than is found in these pages. From this point of view the subject matter Unhealthy Areas and Insanitary }louses.
Book Reviews
155
PUBLIC H E A L T H
logical traumata to these classes of the community not only by the direct effect of bombs but by the crowding into shelters, exposure to the weather in unfavourable Clinical Paediatrics (The Baby). Edited by W. R. F. circumstances and disorganisation of normal life and COLLIS, M.D., F.R.C.P., D.P.H,, P~ediatrician, Rotunda habits. Dr. Freeman pointed out the further advantages Hospital ; Physician, National Children's Hospital, of evacuation in that fewer shelters need be constructed Dublin, and contributed to by various physicians in the danger zones and that the population left in these of the Dublin School. 1938. London : William areas would be principally composed of adults who Heinemann (Medical Books), Ltd. pp. 460. could to a large extent look after themselves. Price 21s. The memorandum dealt with general considerations The quality of this book is perhaps a little belied by as to administration, definitions of evacuation and its name. Chapters devoted to the more elementary reception areas, ascertainment of the evacuable child principles (and the chief contingencies) of pa~diatric population with provision of identity discs, arrangements practice, i.e., problems of infant feeding, nursery for travel and reception of mothers and children includ- behaviour and the general hygiene of childhood, are ing the provision of hospital and obstetric facilities in as brief as possible, omit much and adopt a consistently the reception areas, precautionary measures against easy, steady and non-faddy tone--admirable background epidemics, and suggestions for feeding and supervising if somewhat exiguous fodder for the student anxious to the evacuated populations. learn more about child patients. No virtue is given or The Chairman opened a discussion which was con- claimed-for odd or elaborate treatments--a quality in tinued by Drs. Smithard, Nash, Maitland Radford, itself striking in a book based frankly on hospital Nicoll, Hogarth, Emslie and Back. The memorandum practice and showing in other places a very live interest in received the general approval of the meeting and after academic theory and a wide contact with abnormal two amendments on minor points had been proposed cases. The treatment of the subject matter is straightby Dr. Nicoll, seconded by Dr. Hirst and carried, Dr. forward, dogmatic--one might almost in parts say Freeman proposed and Dr. Hirst seconded that the cursory. But are things really so simple as all that ? memorandum be sent for the consideration of the One might question whether it is in fact wise in these Standing Committee of the Society on Air Raid Pre- days, in discussing, to take one instance, artificial feeding, cautions. Dr. Freeman said that it was the hope of to dogmatise and suggest only" one method--boiled the compilers of the memorandum that it would serve cow's milk--leaving dried milks and other foods with to awaken discussion on the subject and contribute to all their infinite modifications and their carefully bring about the final solution of problems which may designed complexity to the limbo of a tiny, undiscriminbecome urgent at any moment. This proposal was ating paragraph in the chapter on dyspepsias. It is carried unanimously and the proceedings closed with a useful, certainly, not to be confused by too much knowhearty vote of thanks to the speakers, proposed by Dr. ledge, but will the physician in practice succeed by the Emstie and carried with acclamation. firmness of his adhesion to one idea or by the immediate understanding he can show, not only of all the things babies can do, normally and abnormally, but of all the MINISTRY OF HEALTH PUBLICATIONS objections and modifications mothers and nurses can Circular 1750. Price 2d. net. By post 2~d. Town and propound of their own opinion and experience, in Country Planning Act, 1932. Control of premature or opposition to his chosen method ? We are of the unsightly development in the country and on the sea coast. opinion that the student cannot be too fully informed as Circular 1755. Price 2d. net. By post 2½d. Food and Drugs Act, 1938. Explains to Local Authorities, etc., the to p~ediatric methods, dealing with all aspects of child general effect of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, which culture, and in this the book has obvious omissions. But it would be a carping criticism to suggest that this comes into operation on October 1st, 1939. Circular 1756. Building Byelaws. Refers to previous is all. The greater part of the book deals withpathological circulars to local authorities on the subject of building bye- conditions and diagnosis, and the experienced p~ediatrist, laws under the Public Health Act, 1936, and again reminds them that existing byelaws will cease to operate on July 31st, and in particular the welfare doctor, will appreciate the 1939. Expresses the Minister's intention to re-constitute wealth of valuable, up-to-date information that is comthe Advisory Committee on Building Byelaws at an appro- pressed within its pages and the guidance given as to priate time, to examine certain suggestions made for addi- treatment. At any moment in the welfare centre the tions to the model byelaws, but making it clear that that examination cannot be completed before July 31st, 1939. innocent student of normal infancy, the teacher of Advises local authorities to base their proposals for new bye- homely methods of management, may be faced with a laws closely on the present model and asks them to state at major abnormality--not necessarily an acute condition, once when their proposals may be expected. but the evidences of organic breakdown or of serious Circular 1758 S/14. Price ld. net. By post lid. (encloses S.R. & O. of 1938). No. 1509. Price 2d. net. By post deficiency. It is important that. he or she should know 2.~d., and Tables, price ld. net. By post l~d. Local with what he is dealing and the most suitable lines and Government Superannuation Act, 1937. Encloses the Local opportunities for treatment. Being the friend and Government Superannuation (Surrender of Superannuation confidant of the mother what he or she says will often Allowance) Rules, 1938 (S.R. & O. 1938, No. 1509--Order 93676), and Tables prepared by the Government Actuary " go " in contradistinction to the advice proffered on a for the Allocation of Part of Superannuation Benefits to casual visit to the hospital out-patient department. For Wife or Husband. this reason welfare doctors must keep " up " their Form H256. Housing. Requests Clerks to Local Authori- clinical medicine and no better opportunity covering the ties to furnish a return of the progress made up to December 31st, 1938, under the Housing Act, 1930, with respect to various fields involved can be offered than is found in these pages. From this point of view the subject matter Unhealthy Areas and Insanitary }louses.
Book Reviews
155