Report of the Honorary Treasurer

28

PUBLIC H E A L T H , N o v e m b e r , 1949

P r i m e Minister to m a k e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s a b o u t the setting up of a c o m p r e h e n s i v e h e a l t h service in industry. T h e M i n i s t r y of Food h a s been particularly active in a s k i n g the c o m m e n t s of the Society on new Milk a n d Dairies R e g u l a t i o n s a n d on questions of composition of foodstuffs. T h e C o u n t y M.O.H. a n d C o u n t y District M.O.H. Groups of t h e Society set up a small c o m m i t t e e to consider t h e question of decentralisation of f u n c t i o n s u n d e r Part III of t h e N.H.S.A. T h i s c o m m i t t e e f o u n d t h a t there was a lack of i n f o r m a t i o n as to how far decentralised a d m i n i s t r a t i o n h a d been introduced b y t h e counties a n d t h e two Groups concerned reported to t h e Council that t h e y proposed to issue a quest!onnaire to all c o u n t y medical officers of h e a l t h a n d there h a s been a complete r e t u r n of replies. T h e i n f o r m a t i o n so obtained h a s now been a n a l y s e d a n d is expected to produce conclusions w h i c h m a y be of great importance in t h e future developments a n d prospects for c o u n t y divisional medical officers. Salaries a n d Conditions of Service W e regret t h a t we are u n a b l e to report b y t h e end of t h e Session 1948-49 t h a t a n y Medical F u n c t i o n a l Council or C o m m i t t e e of it to deal with public h e a l t h negotiations h a s yet been set up. As is well known, a large part of the session was passed d u r i n g t h e period w h e n t h e local a u t h o r i t y associations were not prepared to dlscuss W h i t l e y m a c h i n e r y , a n d the B.M.A. therefore imposed a n e m b a r g o on t h e publication of advertisements of public h e a l t h a p p o i n t m e n t s . A t t h e time of this report we still await t h e calling of t h e preparatory m e e t i n g of all parties concerned at t h e M i n i s t r y of Health. Discussions between t h e c o n s u l t a n t s section of t h e profession a n d t h e M i n i s t r y of H e a l t h have done m u c h to clear the position regardi n g t h e f o r m s of arbitration w h i c h will be available w h e n t h e m a n a g e m e n t a n d staff sides fail to reach a n y agreement. W e hope t h a t salary i m p r o v e m e n t s to b r i n g t h e public h e a l t h service nearer to t h e levels of t h e other sections of t h e profession b a s e d on t h e Spens report will at least be achieved before a n y national retrenchm e n t s are undertaken. Otherwise we fear t h a t r e c r u i t m e n t to public h e a l t h work witl suffer severely. The T u b e r c u l o s i s a n d F e v e r H o s p i t a l G r o u p s

D u r i n g t h e year we have been concerned with the f u t u r e of the two g r o u p s of m e m b e r s in t h e Society who in t h e case of T u b e r culosis Officers a n d s a n a t o r i u m medical officers have been m a i n l y , a n d of t h e fever hospital whole-time medical officers entirely, transferred to Hospital Service u n d e r t h e Regional Hospital Boards. T h e necessity to obtain proper g r a d i n g of these officers in t h e new s c h e m e of t h i n g s led us to s u g g e s t to the British Medical Association t h a t specialist groups s h o u l d be set u p within t h e Association's framework. T h i s h a d led to t h e recent i n a u g u r a t i o n of T u b e r culosis a n d Diseases of the C h e s t Group in t h e B.M.A. with representation on the Central Specialists a n d C o n s u l t a n t s Committee. In the case of t h e whole-time fever hospital medical officers it was felt b y t h e B M.A. t h a t t h e n u m b e r s were not sufficiently great to j u s t i f y t h e setting up of a specialist group, b u t their interests are still b e ' n g watched by us. It was g r a t i f y i n g t h a t b o t h t h e Groups which have been part of t h e Society's organisation since 1921 decided to c o n t i n u e their e x i s t e n c e even with d i m i n ; s h i n g n u m b e r s . W e particularly value this m e t h o d of contact with t h e T u b e r c u l o s i s a n d Fever Hospital Services outside official channels. Refresher Courses and Clinical M e e t i n g s

W e have welcomed t h e c o n t i n u a t i o n d u r i n g t h e session u n d e r review of t h e refresher courses a n d clinical m e e t i n g s organised b y Groups of t h e Society. T h e M.C.W. Group h a s held one provincial clinical week-end at Leeds a n d one at L o n d o n following the M. & C.W. c o n f e r e n c e ; t h e School H e a l t h Service G r o u p held a f u r t h e r successful refresher course for a s s i s t a n t school medical officers at t h e L o n d o n School of H y g i e n e in April a n d a course for m o r e senior S.M.O.s at Bristol. T h e d e m a n d for s u c h courses indicates t h e wisdom of t h e extension to C o u n t y District M.Os.H. a n d of t h e joint m e e t i n g with t h e British Paediatrie Association to be held in t h e c o m i n g session. Subscriptiorm to the Society W e regretted t h e necessity of deciding to raise to t h e Society by a h a l f - g u i n e a all r o u n d (with retired members) to come into operation for the T h e Hon. T r e a s u r e r ' s s t a t e m e n t p u b l i s h e d as an

the subscriptions t h e exception of session 1949-50. editorial in July

PUBLIC HEALTH m a d e t h e reasons for this step q u i t e clear a n d we t r u s t t h a t all m e m b e r s will feel t h a t the additional outlay will be justified by the Society's general usefulness. T h e Retiring President

Prof. R. H. P a r r y ' s year of office was i n t e r r u p t e d for p a r t of t h e session b y his absence in Greece on the i m p o r t a n t mission referred to above. H e was, however, present for several of our m e e t i n g s a n d his original a p p r o a c h to public h e a l t h problems h a s been of great value to t h e Society. A l t h o u g h it was impossible to hold t h e a n n u a l l u n c h e o n or d i n n e r d u r i n g t h e actual term of office he will be associated with t h e new President at the dinner to be held on N o v e m b e r 24th. O t h e r Officers a n d C h a i r m e n

T h a n k s are also d u e to Dr. F. Hall, Prof. J o h n s t o n e Jervis a n d Dr. R. H. H. Jolly, who have served as Vice-Presidents, a n d to Sir Allen Daley, who h a s carried a particularly h e a v y b u r d e n as Chairm a n of Council. Dr. J a m e s F e n t o n h a s h a p p i l y returned after h i s illness to carry on his duties as H o n o r a r y T r e a s u r e r a n d to relieve Dr. Cecil H e r i n g t o n , who h a d kindly acted as A c t i n g T r e a s u r e r d u r i n g his absence. Dr. J. M. Gibson h a s a g a i n p u t in m u c h t i m e a n d work as C h a i r m a n of t h e General Purposes C o m m i t t e e and several m e m b e r s of t h e Council have also given m u c h time to t h e Public H e a l t h C o m m i t t e e of t h e B.M.A. R e t i r i n g Members of Council T h e a n n u a l re-elections involve t h e retirement of Drs. W. A. Bullough, H. A. B u l m a n , N. E. Chadwick, J. E. Spence a n d Prof. A. Topping. Dr. Bullough, who retired f r o m the post of C o u n t y Medical Officer, Essex, d u r i n g t h e session, h a s for long been a m e m b e r o f y o u r Council a n d a representative on t h e B.M.A. A n o t h e r with l o n g service on y o u r Council h a s been Dr. J. E. Spence, who h a s now given up t h e Hon. Secretaryship of t h e N o r t h - W e s t e r n B r a n c h on h i s a p p r o a c h i n g retirement. Both these m e m b e r s will be particularly missed. Staff

As f r o m April 1st last t h e Executive Secretary h a s divided h i s time equally between t h e work of t h e Society a n d t h a t of t h e publishers of The Medical Officer a n d Better Health. This was enabled by t h e a p p o i n t m e n t as Council a n d C o m m i t t e e Clerk of Mr. S. R. Bragg. Mr. Elliston is still available every a f t e r n o o n at t h e Society's office a n d whenever called on for Council or Committee m e e t i n g s a n d conferences or delegations. W e again express our t h a n k s to the staff of t h e central office for their cheerful p e r f o r m a n c e of t h e large volume of b u s i n e s s w h i c h h a s h a d to be carried t h r o u g h d u r i n g t h e session. REPORT

OF THE HONORARY

TREASURER

I beg to s u b m i t t h e a u d i t e d accounts of t h e Society for t h e y e a r e n d e d September 30th, 1949. M y first d u t y is to thaffk Dr. H e r i n g t o n , who kindly acted a s H o n o r a r y T r e a s u r e r d u r i n g m y absence from J u l y to D e c e m b e r last year. A s s h o w n in t h e A n n u a l Report of t h e Council, t h e year h a s seen a f u r t h e r increase in the m e m b e r s h i p figures with a c o n s e q u e n t increase in the subscription income of £76. I n c o m e f r o m investm e n t s is down b y £ J due to reduction of interest by conversion o f £1,000 Defence B o n d s from 3 to 2½%. T h e J o u r n a l a c c o u n t s h o w s an increase in Revenue of £78. T h e total income was £150 h i g h e r t h a n last year's, a n d at £5,592 Is. 3d. is a new record in t h e history of t h e Society. As foreseen in m y i n t e r i m report to the Council, e x p e n d i t u r e shows an increase over last year. Staff c h a n g e s have resulted in a n increase of £55 in salaries, m e m b e r s ' travelling expenses are increased b y £25 as also are postal a n d telephone charges. Miscellaneous expenses are also increased due to staff h e a l t h i n s u r a n c e c o n t r i b u t i o n s £60, legal d r a f t i n g o f t h e revised Articles of Association £10, a n d theft f r o m t h e centraI office £8. J o u r n a l expenses are increased b y £100. T h e s e increases, however, are partly offset by decreases in t h e cost of p r i n t i n g the Roll of M e m b e r s , h a l f thereof only b e i n g chargeable this year, a n d in t h e cost of general printing. T h e r e h a s been no a n n u a l l u n c h e o n or d i n n e r held d u r i n g t h i s year.

PUBLIC HEALTH, November, 1949

29

The year's working shows a deficit for 1948-49 of £135 8s. 7d. (less by £45 than the deficit for 1947-48). We must, however, reckon that future, expenditure will be higher than that for 1948-49, despite all possible economies. Staff expenditure must be increased to allow for increments, and rent will be greatly increased when occupation of the new office in the South extension is taken up. The annual dinner usually costs the Society approximately £100. Expenditure on furniture for the new office must be anticipated, although the cost will be spread over a number of years. Printing costs cannot be expected to decrease, in fact the reverse is probable. Other expenditure cannot be curtailed and, if work in connection with Refresher Courses and requests for evidence and other enquiries from Government Departments continue at their present rate, it will be necessary to increase the staff by the appointment of a junior typist. On the other hand it is hoped that with the present staff the auditors' annual accounting charges of £42 will not recur, and possibly the high audit fee may be reduced. The new rates of subscription should increase the Society's income by approximately £I,000, and I sincerely hope that next year we may see a return to the days when expenditure was more than met by income and when it was possible to increase income by investing a surplus instead of decreasing it by reducing the invested capital. The obvious method of ensuring the Society's financial future is for all members to do their best to see that all their colleagues in public health work support us by their membership. Once again I would po:nt out that our hard pressed staff can be relieved of much unnecessary work if all members will pay their subscriptions early in the session. (Signed) JAMES FENTON. REPORT OF T H E EDITOR OF " PUBLIC H E A L T H " I beg to present a brief report on Volume 62 of Public Health covering the sess!on 1948-49. The journal has to stand the scrutiny of members throughout the year and it is not therefore necessary to refer to its contents, which it is hoped have satisfied the varying interests of different sections of the Society. The editorial pages in this volume totalled 254 compared with 252 in Vol. 61. Paper has been available for larger issues, but in view of the cost involved and of production difficulties it was decided not to increase the size of the monthly issues or to change back to the larger sizes of type employed before the war.

I should like to take this opportunity of thanking Hen. Secretaries of Branches and Groups for their co-operation in preparing interesting reports of meetings and discussions, and to apologise for the occasional delays in publishing them. G. L. C. ELmSTON, Editor. ORDINARY

MEETING

An Ordinary Meeting of the Society was held in the Hastings Hall, Tavistock House, London, W.C.1, on Thursday, October 20th, 1949, at 5.30 p.m. The retir.ng President (Prof. R. H. Parxy) took the cha,r at the begmmng of the "meeting and signed the minutes of the last meeting as a correct record. Apologies for ansence were received from Dr. G. F. Buchan, Sir George ~lliston and Dr. James Fenton. The retiring Presiaent then proceeded to install Dr. H. C. Maurice Williams, O.B.E., as President for the session 1949-50 and to invest him with the badge of office, with sincere wishes for a happy and successiul year. The President now took the chair and called on Dr. Frederick Hall, Vice-President, to move a vote of thanks to his predecessor. Dr. Hall said that Prof. Parry had been a somewhat roving President, but that his travels in Greece, with its traditions of inteliigence and physical beauty, to advise on developments of medical services in that country had enhanced the prestige of the Society. His pres:dency had been a stimulating one and he had great pleasure in proposing a hearty vote of thanks. This was seconded by Dr. Arthur Massey in cordial terms and carr:ed by acclamation. In his reply, Prof. Parry said that he had been very conscious of the friendship and support of his colleagues in the Society, particularly of S r Allen Daley, who, as Chairman of Council, carried so much of the burden, and of the staff. The meeting proceeded to the election of the following candidates as Fellows of the Society: Abernethy, William Russel, M.B., B.Cm, B A.O., D.P.H. ; Battersby, John, M.B., CH.B. (GLASG.), D.P.H. ; Duncan, Eric Henry Weir, M.B., CH.m (ABERn.), D.P.H. ; Farquhar, Robert Warrender, B.sc. (AGree.), M.B., CH.B. (ABERD.), D.P.H. ; Hay, James R. W., MD. (ABERD.), D.P.H. ; Hay, Margaret Ann, M.B., B.CH. (ABERD.), n.mc.o.G., D.C.H. ; Irish, Alice Margaret, M.B., CH.m (CLASG.), D.P.H. ; Roberts, George Hugh Browse, M.B., B.Cg., mA.O., D.P.H. ; Scott, Robert W., Lt.-Col., O.B.E., R.A.M.C., M.B., B.S. (I)tmH.), D.PH. ; Thompson, Elizabeth, M.B., CraB. (EDIN.), D.P.H. ; Whitman, Arthur Robert, M.a., CH.B. (inV.).

CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION, NOVEMBER 24th, 1949 T h e following, who have been duly nominated, will be balloted for : T h e abbreviations in first column indicate the Branches to which candidates wish to be attached, vlz. : Mot. (Metropolitan) ; Sc. (Scottish) ; Wa. (Welsh) ; E.A. (East Anglian) ; H.C. (Home Counties) ; Mid. (Midland) ; N. (Northera) ; N.I. (Northern Ireland) ; N.W, (North-Western) ; S. (Southern) ; W.E. (West of England) ; Y. (Yorkshire) ; E.M. (East Midland). Overseas members are marked N.S.W. (New South Wales) or C.0. (Central Office). Branch

N.I. Met. Met. E.A.

Met. E.M. H.C. N.W.

E.M. H.C. Met.

Name

Address

Appointment

Allison, Victor Douglas, M.D. 36, Cadogan Park, Malone Dir. of Lab. Services, N.I. (BELF.), D.P.H. Road, Belfast Hospitals Authority Burgess, Anne, M.B., CH.B., 52, Nottingham Place, Asst. Medical Adviser, L.D.S. London, W.1 C.C.H.E. Burton, Lueas John Harms- C.C.H.E., Tavistoek House Deputy Medical Adviser, worth, B . A . , M.R.C.S., North, Tavistock Square, Cent. Council for Health L.R.C.P., D.P.H. London, W.C.1 Education Guild, Alexander Brown, Local Health Office, East A.C.M.O.H., Norfolk, and M.B., CH.B. (EDIN.), D.P.H., Dereham, Norfolk M.O.H., East Dereham D.I.H. U.D., and Mitford and Launditch U.D. Guymer, Ronald Frank, M.A., London School of Hygiene & Rockefeller Medical Fellow M.D. (CAMB.), D.P.H. Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, W.C.1 Hall, James William, M.D., 422, Loughborough Road, M.O.H., Barrow-on-Soar B.S. (LOND.), B.HY., D.P.H. Birstall, Leicester R.D.C. Hartston, William, M.D., B.S. Middlesex County Health Dep. M.O.H., Middlesex (LEND.), M.R.C.P., D.P.H., Dept., 10, Great George D.T.M. & H. Street, Londgn, S.W. 1 Longbottom, Donald, M.B., 269, R~achdale Road, Rayton, Divl. M.O. & M.O.H., CH.B. (MANCH.), D.P.H. near Oldham Altrincham Din., Cheshire C.C. MoWilliams,Lionel Franels, 35, Johnson Ave., Hucknall, M.O.H., Hucknall U.D. M.B., B.CH. (BELF.), D.P.H. Notts Prother0, Ruth, M.D. (EDIN.), 1, Orlando Road, London, A.M.O., M.C.C., Area 9 L.R.C.P. & S. S.W.4 Smith, Robert Arthur Gordon, 21, West Kensington Court, Indastrial M.O., Carreras, M.B., n.S. (LOND.) W.14 Ltd.

_Proposer & Seconder G . A . W . Neill C . R . Murdock W . L . Burgess A . A . Fulton H. C. Maurice Williams E . K . Macdgnald T. Rldd~ck-West C. Warden e r r G . M . Frizelle H . D . Chalke G . H . Gibson John R. Byars J . F . Macgregor E. Madeley T. Holme T. Seymour Jones, J . A . Stirling J . S . Hamilton A. M3rrison K. Hart G . M . Frizelle H . D . Chalke