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North-Western Branch
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PUBLIC ORDINARY
JANUARY, MIDLAND BRANCH.
MEETING.
An o r d i n a r y m e e t i n g w a s held at the house of the Society on F r i d a y , D e c e m b e r 16th, 1921. In the absence of the President, o w i n g to illness, Lt.-Col. H e r b e r t Jones t o o k the chair. There was a l a r g e attendance. T h e m i n u t e s of the last m e e t i n g h a v i n g been a p p r o v e d and signed, m e s s a g e s of a p o l o g y of absence were received from the P r e s i d e n t , the D i r e c t o r s - G e n e r a l of the N a v y and A r m y Medical Services, Dr. A. B. M c M a s t e r , S u r g . - C d r . R. J. M a c k e o w n , C . B . E . , Lt.-Col. F. E. F r e m a n t l e , M . P . , and M a j o r W . N. W . K e n n e d y . T h e following c a n d i d a t e s h a v i n g been n o m i n a t e d were elected to the Society :
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As Members: N. W. Clemmey, Wm. Newlands, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. ; De Laeey, Robert Charles, M.B., B.S.Durh., L.D.S. ; Hammond, (Mrs.) Margaret, M.A.Lond, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. ; Hawksworth, E. Dorothy; Holt, Henry Mainwaring, M.R.C.S., L.S.A., D.P.H.; Horsburgh, Percy Gilbert, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.P.H. ; Judd, Walter Rossell, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. ; Kidd, Beatrice Mary, M.B.Lond. ; MeCallum, Peter Alex., M.B., Ch.B.Glasg., D.P.H. ; Milne, Win. Alexander, M.B., Ch.B.Glasg., D.P.H. ; Ormiston, Margaret Gemmell, M.A., M.B., Ch.B., St. And. ; Porteous, Harold Burnett, Squad-Ldr., R.A.F., M.S., M.B., Ch.B.Edin. ; Richardson, Edmund Douglas, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.P.H. ; Robinson, Arthur Lowry, L.M.S., S.A.Lond. ; Shaw, (Mrs.) Emily Helen, M.D., B.S.Lond. ; Symons, Arthur Denis, M.D., Ch.B.Brist., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.P.H. ; Taylor, Jas. McWill]am, M.D., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.; Werden, Lloyd Huntley, M.B., Ch.B.Edin., D.P.H. ; Wild, Mary Howarth, M.B., Ch.B.Liv. As Associates: Benson, Elizabeth; Brown, Arthur, L.D.S.Ed. ; Cowin, Daniel, M.B., Ch.B.Vict., L.D.S.; Keenan, Stephen, L.D.S.Glasg. ; Maurice, A. J., L.D.S.; Nixon, Joseph, L.D.S.Ed. ; Tyson, John, L.D.S.Liv. A long list of c a n d i d a t e s were n o m i n a t e d for election at the next meeting. • S u r g . R e a r - A d m i r a l Sir P. ~V. B a s s e t t - S m i t h , K . C . B . , C . M . G . , then delivered his a d d r e s s , as P r e s i d e n t of the N a v a l , M i l i t a r y and Air F o r c e H y g i e n e Group, on " T h e d e v e l o p m e n t of H y g i e n e , P a t h o l o g y and B a c t e r i o l o g y in the N a v a l lVledical S e r v i c e . " A vote of t h a n k s for the a d d r e s s was prop o s e d by M a j . - G e n . Sir W . G. M a c p h e r s o n , a n d seconded by Col. "~V. YV. O. Beveridge. O t h e r s who spoke in s u p p o r t were S u r g . - C d r . R. St. G. S. Bond, Lt.-Col. P. Caldwell-Smith, Dr. Charles S a n d e r s , and the C h a i r m a n . After a brief response f r o m Sir P. V~}. B a s s e t t - S m i t h the m e e t i n g adjourned.
M e e t i n g held at the Council House, B i r m i n g ham, T h u r s d a y , D e c e m b e r 1st, 1921. P r e s e n t , Dr. Cowie (in the chair), and 19 members. The minutes of the last m e e t i n g were read, confirmed and signed. A letter was read from Mrs. D r y b r o u g h Gold t h a n k i n g the B r a n c h for their vote of condotance in the death of her husband. A letter was read from the Y o r k s h i r e Branch enclosing a resolution and a s k i n g for the s u p p o r t of the Midland Branch. T h e resolution " T h a t the Branch s t r o n g l y d i s a p p r o v e s of the use of its Journal, Public Health, for p r o p a g a n d a p u r p o s e s on behalf of a policy, unless a p p r o v e d by the Council of the S o c i e t y , " was p a s s e d unanimously. A letter was also r e a d from Dr. B a n k s r e s i g n i n g his position on the Council of the Branch. Dr. W i l k i n s read his p a p e r on " The place of the C o u n t r y P r a c t i t i o n e r in P r e v e n t i v e M e d i c i n e . " T h e p a p e r w a s of g r e a t interest, and w a s discussed by Drs. S t o c k s , Auden, Goldie, Clendinnen, H e w a t and Cowie. Dr. W i l k i n s briefly replied. A vote of t h a n k s to the r e a d e r of the p a p e r w a s p a s s e d unanimously. Dr. H e w a t moved a resolution, a m e n d e d by permission of the m e e t i n g , " T h a t the Branch consider w h a t steps shall be t a k e n to meet cases of t h r e a t e n e d salary reductions when no a d e q u a t e increase of s a l a r y w a s p a i d . " T h e resolution was seconded and p a s s e d un.animously. T h e following resolution was p a s s e d unanimously : - " T h a t the Society resist to the u t m o s t of its p o w e r any reduction of salary, which will b r i n g such salary b e l o w - t h e scale set out recently by the Society of Medical OI~cers o~ H e a l t h . " NORTH WESTERN BRANCH. On T h u r s d a y ; 24th N o v e m b e r , 1921, a further conference t o o k p l a c e in M a n c h e s t e r between members of the C o m m i t t e e of the N . W . ,Branch and of the N . W . T u b e r c u l o s i s Society with reference to the f o r m a t i o n of a T u b e r c u l o s i s SubG r o u p in the area. T h e r e were p ~ r e s e n t - - r e p r e s e n t i n g tlle N,V~ r. B r a n c h - - D r s . J. W . T a l e n t (President), Barlow, H i t c h o n and J o s e p h ; and r e p r e s e n t i n g the N . W . T u b e r c u l o s i s Society, Drs. S u t h e r l a n d (President), Cox, Jessel, P e y t o n , Leigh a n d T i n k e r . After a few o p e n i n g r e m a r k s by Dr. T a l e n t , Dr. Joseph g a v e a r6sum6 of the position up to date and Dr. S u t h e r l a n d pointed out the difficulties t h a t T u b e r c u l o s i s Officers m i g h t be faced with if they threw in their lot with the Society of Medical
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Officers of H e a l t h entirely and allowed the newly formed Tuberculosis Soc.iety to g o out of existence. Dr. P e y t o n refer~ed to the new rules of the Tuberculosis Group, and s t a t e d that the question of the representation of T u b e r c u l o s i s Officers on the Council of the Society of Medical Officers of Health was receiving further consideration. The subsequent discussion w a s joined in by all those present. It was finally decidect t h a t " M e m b e r s of the N.'vV. Tuberculosis Society who are m e m b e r s of the Society of Medical Officers of H e a l t h be recommended to form a S u b - G r o u p with the o t h e r Tuberculosis Officers within the S o c i e t y . " It was s u g g e s t e d t h a t the new S u b - G r o u p should devote its energies to the political and a d m i n i s t r a t i v e side of the T u b e r c u l o s i s problem and that the m e e t i n g s of the S u b - G r o u p should be held on the same afternoon as the m e e t i n g s of the N.VV. T u b e r c u l o s i s Society which, as in the past, should devote its energies to scmntiflc and clinical matters.
O r d i n a r y M e e t i n g of the N o r t h W e s t e r n Branch held in Manchester, F r i d a y , D e c e m b e r 9th, 1911. P r e s e n t , Dr. J. XA7 T a l e n t (President) in the chair, and 16 members. The P r e s i d e n t (Dr. Talent) referred to the death of Dr. H. E. Corbin, and r e p o r t e d t h a t Dr. H i t e h o n a t t e n d e d the funeral on behalf of the Branch and t h a t the Hon. S e c r e t a r y had sent a mess//ge of s y m p a t h y to the relatives. It w a s resolved " T h a t the m e m b e r s desire to place on record their a p p r e c i a t i o n of the vaIuable services a l w a y s willingly rendered to the Society by the late Dr. H. E. Corbin and their deep r e g r e t at his l O S S . ~'
A letter was received from Col. D u n b a r W a l k e r i n t i m a t i n g t h a t o w i n g to the r e m o v a l of the R . A . M . C . School of H y g i e n e from Blaekpool to Mdershot tie w a s r e l u c t a n t l y compelled to withd r a w .his invitation to the B r a n c h for the visit t h a t had been a r r a n g e d for F e b r u a W next. A l e t t e r from the Y o r k s h i r e BranCh- enclosing a resolution d i s a p p r o v i n g of the use of the J o u r n a l for p r o p a g a n d a 'purposes was considered and no action taken. I t was decided, at the invitation of Dr. ~i;V. Allen Daley to hold the March M e e t i n g of the Branch at B l a c k b u r n on March 17th, on which day a Cessional M e e t i n g of the Royal S a n i t a r y I n s t i t u t e would be held in that town. A letter from the E x e c u t i v e S e c r e t a r y d r a w i n g a t t e n t i o n to a list t h a t had been d r a w n up by the VVest of E n g l a n d Branch of all Medical Officers
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of Local A u t h o r i t i e s in their area, and it w a s decided in view of the g r e a t usefulnesg of this step in any a t t e m p t to increase the m e m b e r s h i p of the Society t h a t the Hon. S e c r e t a r y should b e g i n to compile a similar list for the N o r t h W e s t e r n A r e a as soon as possible. A r e p o r t was received from the C o m m i t t e e of the Branch with a r e c o m m e n d a t i o n that " Members of the N . W . T u b e r c u l o s i s Society who a r e m e m b e r s of the Society of Medical Officers of H e a l t h should be invited to form a S u b - G r o u p with the other T u b e r c u l o s i s Officers within the S o c i e t y , " and this w a s approved. It was s u g g e s t e d t h a t the n e w S u b - G r o u p should devote its energies to the political and a d m i n i s t r a t i v e side of the T u b e r c u l o s i s problem, a n d t h a t the m e e t i n g s of the S u b - G r o u p should be held on the same a f t e r n o o n as the m e e t i n g s of the N . W . T u b e r c u l o s i s Society which, as in the p a s t , should devote its e n e r g i e s to scientific and clinical matters. A t t e n t i o n was d r a w n to the recent circular of the B o a r d of E d u c a t i o n , re the A n n u a l R e p o r t s of School Medical Officers, and it w a s pointed out how difficult it would be in some a r e a s to c o m p l y with the conditions laid down unless an a d e q u a t e staff is p r o v i d e d for" the School Medical Service. A discussion on the " Sale of F o o d O r d e r , 19~1," w a s opened by Dr. Rees Jones (Blaekpool), and joined in b y D r s . T a l e n t , Burton, MeClure, Mathieson, D a t e y and W h e a t l e y . T h e A n n u a l D i n n e r of the Branch was held the s a m e even'ing at the Q u e e n ' s Hotel, M a n c h e s t e r , when about 40 M e m b e r s attended. A m o n g the g u e s t s were the Lord M a y o r of M a n c h e s t e r (Councillor E. D. Simon, J.P.), Colonel Sir Vgalter De F r e e e , M . P . , the M a y o r of A s h t o n u n d e r - L y n e (Councillor H. T. Greenwood), the E x - M a y o r of H e y w o o d (Alderman H a r g r e a v e s , Lancs. C.C.), and others. A f t e r the usual loyal toast, the Lord M a y o r p r o p o s e d the t o a s t of the " N o r t h W e s t e r n B r a n c h of the Society of Medical Officers cff H e a l t h . " H e dealt with the i m p o r t a n c e of the w o r k of t h e chief offidiars 6 f t h d H e a l t h Services and w e n t on to refer to the l a t e s t r e p o r t of L o r d N e w t o n ' s Committee, re S m o k e A b a t e m e n t , of which b o d y he was a member. H e considered the only likely source of'help and the only body which could m a k e people realise the d a n g e r of the s m o k e nuisance was the g e n e r a l body of Medical Officers of Health. T h e only t h i n g to p r e v e n t the e x o d u s of citizens from the t o w n s they w o r k e d in w a s to clear the air, once t h a t w a s done, t o w n s h i p s could s t a r t t h i n k i n g about art and architecture
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PUBLIC H E A L T H .
and such things.• The President (Dr. J. W. Talent) in responding on behalf of the Branch, drew attention to the growth in membership and importance of the Society and the advantages of this, not only to the officials of the service, but to the public generally. Dr. T. W. N. Barlow, O.B.E., proposed the toast of " The Guests " in a happy little speech punctuated by many humorous stories. In repIying on behalf of the guests, Colonel Sir Walter De Frece, M.P., spoke approvingly of the cleanliness of .German towns owing to the more general use of gas. He thought that the most important and most useful of all public work was the preservation of the health of the people. Councillor H. T. Greenwood (Mayor of Ashton-under-Lyne) mentioned the difficulties a local body is faced with in enforcing any smoke abatement order and considered that the powers should be exercised by a central authority. Alderman Hargreaves considered that the only solution of the problem was the general substitution- of electric power for steam. Dr. S. G. Moore (Huddersfield), a visitor from the Yorkshire Branch~ pointed out the need for a keener appreciation of the benefts of propaganda work throughout }he health services. Popular opinion only would move the Ministerz and politicians and prevent the " utter mistakes " of the past and present.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE GROUP.
A general meeting o f the Maternit)) a n d Child W e l f a r e Group was held a t the house of the Society at 8 p.m. on T h u r s d a y , November 17There were 2 3 members present. Dr. t I e r b e r t Jones was voted to the chair. Apologies were submitted f r o m the President of the Society (Dr. W. J. Howorth), Dr. Cameron, Cox, Kenwood, L a n g m e a d , McMaster, Porter and A d a m s . T h e meeting considered the d r a f t rules of the Group drawn up b y the Committee appc~inted for that purpose and a f t e r considerable discusslon a n d a m e n d m e n t p a s s e d them to be printed and circulated to members. T h e following officers were elected: [:resident. Dr. H. C. Cameron. I,'ice-Presidents. Dr. H. K. W a l k e r (for t year). Dr. H a r o l d Scurfield (for 2 years). Dr. It. Robertson •(for 3 years).
JANUAI~Y,
Hon. Treasz~rer. Dr. F l o r a Shepherd. Z~epresenta~ive on Cozen. o/Soc.M.O.H. Dr. A. B. McMaster. Hon. Secretary. Dr. R. W o o l s e y Stocks. T h e following were elected to the Committee of the Group p e n d i n g the receipt of nominations f l o m branches or sub-groups. Drs. Churchill, Cox, Roskell Davison, Kenwood, K i d d , McMaster~ L a n g m e a d , Robertson, Scurfield and Waller, with the President, Hon. Treasurer a n d Hon. Secretary, ex officio, U n f o r t u n a t e l y the lateness o f the hour prevented the discussion of the clinical subject which was on the agenda. METROPOLITAN TUBERCULOSIS SUB-GROUP. The third meeting of the Metropolitan Tuberculosis Sub-group was held at the house of the Society on December 9th, Dr. H. Wilson in the chair. A discussion took place on record-keeping in London Dispensaries with the view to obtaining uniformity; Dr. G. T. Hebert was appointed to report to the next meeting on the " ease sheets " used. The salaries of Metropolitan tuberculosis officers were considered. CORRESPONDENCE.
The Editor does not accept resbonsibility for the opinions of corre,~pondents. To the Editor of Pure.It HEALTH. Sir,--The set~tence in my contribution on " Dental Defects " in the November number of PUBLIC H~ALTH, commencing " That the processes concerned in the prevention of dental caries are known with accuracy," should read " That,the processes concerned in the production of dental carie,s.are known with aceuiacy. Yours sincerely, JAMF,S WH F.ATI,F,Y. December 19th, 19:71.
DR. JAMES BATES WILKINSON, medical officer of health for Otdham, has been appointed a Knight of Grace of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in England. DR. F. J. STEVENS, medical officer of health for the borough of CamberwelI, has been appointed examiner in Forensic Medicine and Public Health for the University of Oxford.
PUBLIC ORDINARY
JANUARY, MIDLAND BRANCH.
MEETING.
An o r d i n a r y m e e t i n g w a s held at the house of the Society on F r i d a y , D e c e m b e r 16th, 1921. In the absence of the President, o w i n g to illness, Lt.-Col. H e r b e r t Jones t o o k the chair. There was a l a r g e attendance. T h e m i n u t e s of the last m e e t i n g h a v i n g been a p p r o v e d and signed, m e s s a g e s of a p o l o g y of absence were received from the P r e s i d e n t , the D i r e c t o r s - G e n e r a l of the N a v y and A r m y Medical Services, Dr. A. B. M c M a s t e r , S u r g . - C d r . R. J. M a c k e o w n , C . B . E . , Lt.-Col. F. E. F r e m a n t l e , M . P . , and M a j o r W . N. W . K e n n e d y . T h e following c a n d i d a t e s h a v i n g been n o m i n a t e d were elected to the Society :
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As Members: N. W. Clemmey, Wm. Newlands, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. ; De Laeey, Robert Charles, M.B., B.S.Durh., L.D.S. ; Hammond, (Mrs.) Margaret, M.A.Lond, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. ; Hawksworth, E. Dorothy; Holt, Henry Mainwaring, M.R.C.S., L.S.A., D.P.H.; Horsburgh, Percy Gilbert, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.P.H. ; Judd, Walter Rossell, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. ; Kidd, Beatrice Mary, M.B.Lond. ; MeCallum, Peter Alex., M.B., Ch.B.Glasg., D.P.H. ; Milne, Win. Alexander, M.B., Ch.B.Glasg., D.P.H. ; Ormiston, Margaret Gemmell, M.A., M.B., Ch.B., St. And. ; Porteous, Harold Burnett, Squad-Ldr., R.A.F., M.S., M.B., Ch.B.Edin. ; Richardson, Edmund Douglas, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.P.H. ; Robinson, Arthur Lowry, L.M.S., S.A.Lond. ; Shaw, (Mrs.) Emily Helen, M.D., B.S.Lond. ; Symons, Arthur Denis, M.D., Ch.B.Brist., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.P.H. ; Taylor, Jas. McWill]am, M.D., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.; Werden, Lloyd Huntley, M.B., Ch.B.Edin., D.P.H. ; Wild, Mary Howarth, M.B., Ch.B.Liv. As Associates: Benson, Elizabeth; Brown, Arthur, L.D.S.Ed. ; Cowin, Daniel, M.B., Ch.B.Vict., L.D.S.; Keenan, Stephen, L.D.S.Glasg. ; Maurice, A. J., L.D.S.; Nixon, Joseph, L.D.S.Ed. ; Tyson, John, L.D.S.Liv. A long list of c a n d i d a t e s were n o m i n a t e d for election at the next meeting. • S u r g . R e a r - A d m i r a l Sir P. ~V. B a s s e t t - S m i t h , K . C . B . , C . M . G . , then delivered his a d d r e s s , as P r e s i d e n t of the N a v a l , M i l i t a r y and Air F o r c e H y g i e n e Group, on " T h e d e v e l o p m e n t of H y g i e n e , P a t h o l o g y and B a c t e r i o l o g y in the N a v a l lVledical S e r v i c e . " A vote of t h a n k s for the a d d r e s s was prop o s e d by M a j . - G e n . Sir W . G. M a c p h e r s o n , a n d seconded by Col. "~V. YV. O. Beveridge. O t h e r s who spoke in s u p p o r t were S u r g . - C d r . R. St. G. S. Bond, Lt.-Col. P. Caldwell-Smith, Dr. Charles S a n d e r s , and the C h a i r m a n . After a brief response f r o m Sir P. V~}. B a s s e t t - S m i t h the m e e t i n g adjourned.
M e e t i n g held at the Council House, B i r m i n g ham, T h u r s d a y , D e c e m b e r 1st, 1921. P r e s e n t , Dr. Cowie (in the chair), and 19 members. The minutes of the last m e e t i n g were read, confirmed and signed. A letter was read from Mrs. D r y b r o u g h Gold t h a n k i n g the B r a n c h for their vote of condotance in the death of her husband. A letter was read from the Y o r k s h i r e Branch enclosing a resolution and a s k i n g for the s u p p o r t of the Midland Branch. T h e resolution " T h a t the Branch s t r o n g l y d i s a p p r o v e s of the use of its Journal, Public Health, for p r o p a g a n d a p u r p o s e s on behalf of a policy, unless a p p r o v e d by the Council of the S o c i e t y , " was p a s s e d unanimously. A letter was also r e a d from Dr. B a n k s r e s i g n i n g his position on the Council of the Branch. Dr. W i l k i n s read his p a p e r on " The place of the C o u n t r y P r a c t i t i o n e r in P r e v e n t i v e M e d i c i n e . " T h e p a p e r w a s of g r e a t interest, and w a s discussed by Drs. S t o c k s , Auden, Goldie, Clendinnen, H e w a t and Cowie. Dr. W i l k i n s briefly replied. A vote of t h a n k s to the r e a d e r of the p a p e r w a s p a s s e d unanimously. Dr. H e w a t moved a resolution, a m e n d e d by permission of the m e e t i n g , " T h a t the Branch consider w h a t steps shall be t a k e n to meet cases of t h r e a t e n e d salary reductions when no a d e q u a t e increase of s a l a r y w a s p a i d . " T h e resolution was seconded and p a s s e d un.animously. T h e following resolution was p a s s e d unanimously : - " T h a t the Society resist to the u t m o s t of its p o w e r any reduction of salary, which will b r i n g such salary b e l o w - t h e scale set out recently by the Society of Medical OI~cers o~ H e a l t h . " NORTH WESTERN BRANCH. On T h u r s d a y ; 24th N o v e m b e r , 1921, a further conference t o o k p l a c e in M a n c h e s t e r between members of the C o m m i t t e e of the N . W . ,Branch and of the N . W . T u b e r c u l o s i s Society with reference to the f o r m a t i o n of a T u b e r c u l o s i s SubG r o u p in the area. T h e r e were p ~ r e s e n t - - r e p r e s e n t i n g tlle N,V~ r. B r a n c h - - D r s . J. W . T a l e n t (President), Barlow, H i t c h o n and J o s e p h ; and r e p r e s e n t i n g the N . W . T u b e r c u l o s i s Society, Drs. S u t h e r l a n d (President), Cox, Jessel, P e y t o n , Leigh a n d T i n k e r . After a few o p e n i n g r e m a r k s by Dr. T a l e n t , Dr. Joseph g a v e a r6sum6 of the position up to date and Dr. S u t h e r l a n d pointed out the difficulties t h a t T u b e r c u l o s i s Officers m i g h t be faced with if they threw in their lot with the Society of Medical
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Officers of H e a l t h entirely and allowed the newly formed Tuberculosis Soc.iety to g o out of existence. Dr. P e y t o n refer~ed to the new rules of the Tuberculosis Group, and s t a t e d that the question of the representation of T u b e r c u l o s i s Officers on the Council of the Society of Medical Officers of Health was receiving further consideration. The subsequent discussion w a s joined in by all those present. It was finally decidect t h a t " M e m b e r s of the N.'vV. Tuberculosis Society who are m e m b e r s of the Society of Medical Officers of H e a l t h be recommended to form a S u b - G r o u p with the o t h e r Tuberculosis Officers within the S o c i e t y . " It was s u g g e s t e d t h a t the new S u b - G r o u p should devote its energies to the political and a d m i n i s t r a t i v e side of the T u b e r c u l o s i s problem and that the m e e t i n g s of the S u b - G r o u p should be held on the same afternoon as the m e e t i n g s of the N.VV. T u b e r c u l o s i s Society which, as in the past, should devote its energies to scmntiflc and clinical matters.
O r d i n a r y M e e t i n g of the N o r t h W e s t e r n Branch held in Manchester, F r i d a y , D e c e m b e r 9th, 1911. P r e s e n t , Dr. J. XA7 T a l e n t (President) in the chair, and 16 members. The P r e s i d e n t (Dr. Talent) referred to the death of Dr. H. E. Corbin, and r e p o r t e d t h a t Dr. H i t e h o n a t t e n d e d the funeral on behalf of the Branch and t h a t the Hon. S e c r e t a r y had sent a mess//ge of s y m p a t h y to the relatives. It w a s resolved " T h a t the m e m b e r s desire to place on record their a p p r e c i a t i o n of the vaIuable services a l w a y s willingly rendered to the Society by the late Dr. H. E. Corbin and their deep r e g r e t at his l O S S . ~'
A letter was received from Col. D u n b a r W a l k e r i n t i m a t i n g t h a t o w i n g to the r e m o v a l of the R . A . M . C . School of H y g i e n e from Blaekpool to Mdershot tie w a s r e l u c t a n t l y compelled to withd r a w .his invitation to the B r a n c h for the visit t h a t had been a r r a n g e d for F e b r u a W next. A l e t t e r from the Y o r k s h i r e BranCh- enclosing a resolution d i s a p p r o v i n g of the use of the J o u r n a l for p r o p a g a n d a 'purposes was considered and no action taken. I t was decided, at the invitation of Dr. ~i;V. Allen Daley to hold the March M e e t i n g of the Branch at B l a c k b u r n on March 17th, on which day a Cessional M e e t i n g of the Royal S a n i t a r y I n s t i t u t e would be held in that town. A letter from the E x e c u t i v e S e c r e t a r y d r a w i n g a t t e n t i o n to a list t h a t had been d r a w n up by the VVest of E n g l a n d Branch of all Medical Officers
I~EALTH.
Io7
of Local A u t h o r i t i e s in their area, and it w a s decided in view of the g r e a t usefulnesg of this step in any a t t e m p t to increase the m e m b e r s h i p of the Society t h a t the Hon. S e c r e t a r y should b e g i n to compile a similar list for the N o r t h W e s t e r n A r e a as soon as possible. A r e p o r t was received from the C o m m i t t e e of the Branch with a r e c o m m e n d a t i o n that " Members of the N . W . T u b e r c u l o s i s Society who a r e m e m b e r s of the Society of Medical Officers of H e a l t h should be invited to form a S u b - G r o u p with the other T u b e r c u l o s i s Officers within the S o c i e t y , " and this w a s approved. It was s u g g e s t e d t h a t the n e w S u b - G r o u p should devote its energies to the political and a d m i n i s t r a t i v e side of the T u b e r c u l o s i s problem, a n d t h a t the m e e t i n g s of the S u b - G r o u p should be held on the same a f t e r n o o n as the m e e t i n g s of the N . W . T u b e r c u l o s i s Society which, as in the p a s t , should devote its e n e r g i e s to scientific and clinical matters. A t t e n t i o n was d r a w n to the recent circular of the B o a r d of E d u c a t i o n , re the A n n u a l R e p o r t s of School Medical Officers, and it w a s pointed out how difficult it would be in some a r e a s to c o m p l y with the conditions laid down unless an a d e q u a t e staff is p r o v i d e d for" the School Medical Service. A discussion on the " Sale of F o o d O r d e r , 19~1," w a s opened by Dr. Rees Jones (Blaekpool), and joined in b y D r s . T a l e n t , Burton, MeClure, Mathieson, D a t e y and W h e a t l e y . T h e A n n u a l D i n n e r of the Branch was held the s a m e even'ing at the Q u e e n ' s Hotel, M a n c h e s t e r , when about 40 M e m b e r s attended. A m o n g the g u e s t s were the Lord M a y o r of M a n c h e s t e r (Councillor E. D. Simon, J.P.), Colonel Sir Vgalter De F r e e e , M . P . , the M a y o r of A s h t o n u n d e r - L y n e (Councillor H. T. Greenwood), the E x - M a y o r of H e y w o o d (Alderman H a r g r e a v e s , Lancs. C.C.), and others. A f t e r the usual loyal toast, the Lord M a y o r p r o p o s e d the t o a s t of the " N o r t h W e s t e r n B r a n c h of the Society of Medical Officers cff H e a l t h . " H e dealt with the i m p o r t a n c e of the w o r k of t h e chief offidiars 6 f t h d H e a l t h Services and w e n t on to refer to the l a t e s t r e p o r t of L o r d N e w t o n ' s Committee, re S m o k e A b a t e m e n t , of which b o d y he was a member. H e considered the only likely source of'help and the only body which could m a k e people realise the d a n g e r of the s m o k e nuisance was the g e n e r a l body of Medical Officers of Health. T h e only t h i n g to p r e v e n t the e x o d u s of citizens from the t o w n s they w o r k e d in w a s to clear the air, once t h a t w a s done, t o w n s h i p s could s t a r t t h i n k i n g about art and architecture
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PUBLIC H E A L T H .
and such things.• The President (Dr. J. W. Talent) in responding on behalf of the Branch, drew attention to the growth in membership and importance of the Society and the advantages of this, not only to the officials of the service, but to the public generally. Dr. T. W. N. Barlow, O.B.E., proposed the toast of " The Guests " in a happy little speech punctuated by many humorous stories. In repIying on behalf of the guests, Colonel Sir Walter De Frece, M.P., spoke approvingly of the cleanliness of .German towns owing to the more general use of gas. He thought that the most important and most useful of all public work was the preservation of the health of the people. Councillor H. T. Greenwood (Mayor of Ashton-under-Lyne) mentioned the difficulties a local body is faced with in enforcing any smoke abatement order and considered that the powers should be exercised by a central authority. Alderman Hargreaves considered that the only solution of the problem was the general substitution- of electric power for steam. Dr. S. G. Moore (Huddersfield), a visitor from the Yorkshire Branch~ pointed out the need for a keener appreciation of the benefts of propaganda work throughout }he health services. Popular opinion only would move the Ministerz and politicians and prevent the " utter mistakes " of the past and present.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE GROUP.
A general meeting o f the Maternit)) a n d Child W e l f a r e Group was held a t the house of the Society at 8 p.m. on T h u r s d a y , November 17There were 2 3 members present. Dr. t I e r b e r t Jones was voted to the chair. Apologies were submitted f r o m the President of the Society (Dr. W. J. Howorth), Dr. Cameron, Cox, Kenwood, L a n g m e a d , McMaster, Porter and A d a m s . T h e meeting considered the d r a f t rules of the Group drawn up b y the Committee appc~inted for that purpose and a f t e r considerable discusslon a n d a m e n d m e n t p a s s e d them to be printed and circulated to members. T h e following officers were elected: [:resident. Dr. H. C. Cameron. I,'ice-Presidents. Dr. H. K. W a l k e r (for t year). Dr. H a r o l d Scurfield (for 2 years). Dr. It. Robertson •(for 3 years).
JANUAI~Y,
Hon. Treasz~rer. Dr. F l o r a Shepherd. Z~epresenta~ive on Cozen. o/Soc.M.O.H. Dr. A. B. McMaster. Hon. Secretary. Dr. R. W o o l s e y Stocks. T h e following were elected to the Committee of the Group p e n d i n g the receipt of nominations f l o m branches or sub-groups. Drs. Churchill, Cox, Roskell Davison, Kenwood, K i d d , McMaster~ L a n g m e a d , Robertson, Scurfield and Waller, with the President, Hon. Treasurer a n d Hon. Secretary, ex officio, U n f o r t u n a t e l y the lateness o f the hour prevented the discussion of the clinical subject which was on the agenda. METROPOLITAN TUBERCULOSIS SUB-GROUP. The third meeting of the Metropolitan Tuberculosis Sub-group was held at the house of the Society on December 9th, Dr. H. Wilson in the chair. A discussion took place on record-keeping in London Dispensaries with the view to obtaining uniformity; Dr. G. T. Hebert was appointed to report to the next meeting on the " ease sheets " used. The salaries of Metropolitan tuberculosis officers were considered. CORRESPONDENCE.
The Editor does not accept resbonsibility for the opinions of corre,~pondents. To the Editor of Pure.It HEALTH. Sir,--The set~tence in my contribution on " Dental Defects " in the November number of PUBLIC H~ALTH, commencing " That the processes concerned in the prevention of dental caries are known with accuracy," should read " That,the processes concerned in the production of dental carie,s.are known with aceuiacy. Yours sincerely, JAMF,S WH F.ATI,F,Y. December 19th, 19:71.
DR. JAMES BATES WILKINSON, medical officer of health for Otdham, has been appointed a Knight of Grace of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in England. DR. F. J. STEVENS, medical officer of health for the borough of CamberwelI, has been appointed examiner in Forensic Medicine and Public Health for the University of Oxford.