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Report of the honorary treasurer
P U B L I C H E A L T H , December, 1952 A conference was held with representatives of the B.M.A. to discuss the first year's working of the agreement as tO procedure for school medical officers referring children for specialist examination or for treatment in hospital. This conference was reported in PUBLm HEALTH, June, 1952, p. 150. It also covered the question of transmission of information from hospitals to health departments on the lines suggested by Ministry of Health Circular R.H.B. (50) 22. Later in the session useful discussions were held with the B.M.A.'s Occupational Health Committee which have led to the institution of pilot surveys in selected areas by M.O.H.s in order to ascertain the extent of the needs for a comprehensive service in given types of area and industry. A meeting was held with representatives of the Public Health Section, Royal College of Nursing (see PUBLIC HEALTH, March, 1959,, p. 105), at which several important matters of concern to the position of health visitors were discussed. Later, at the initiative of the County Borough Group, we appointed a special _sub-committee to prepare draft evidence for t h e expected Working Party on the recruitment, training and qualifications of health visitors. This committee has already met twice and is now" awaiting the issue of the Nuffield Inquiry into public health nursing which should be of great value in formulating policy, The Advisory Committee on Research met on two occasions during the session. It has informed a large number of outside bodies of its existence and purpose and has served a useful purpose as a clearing-house in this field. The reports of the Council and General Purposes Committee, published from time to time in PUBLIC HEALTH, will indicate the large number of other matters which the Society has considered or where it has been in contact with other bodies.
Refresher Courses and Clinical Meetings The Maternity and Child Welfare Group held clinical weekends at Oxford, in co-operation with the Institute of Social Medicine and the Slade Hospital, on May 10th and l l t h , 1952, and in London following the National Conference on Maternity and Child Welfare, on June 28th and 29th, 1952. Both these occasions were very well supported. The School Health Service Group organised a week-end in co-operati0n with the Department of Education of the Deaf, University of Manchester, held in that city on March 29th, and 30th, 1952, and a five-day refresher course at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine from September 15th to 19th, ]952. Here again the available places were over-subscribed. We consider that the provision of post-graduate education is one of the most valuable functions of the Society and hope to foster wider developments in this field.
The Retiring President The Society had reason to Congratulate itself on its choice of a Scottish President from Scotland. Dr. W. G. Clark brought his incisive mind to bear on the current problems of the Public Health Servlce, and in both his Presidential Address to the Society and t6 the Conference of Medical Off• of Health during the Royal Sanitary Institute's Congress at Margate in April, 1952,.he gave us much food for thought. His speech at the Annual Dinner, when he replied to the toast of the Society by Miss Pat Hornsby-Smith, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, was also a most happy one. But the culmination of his year of office was undoubtedly the meeting of the Council and the combined meeting with the Scottish Branch in Edinburgh on July 18th and !lgth, interspersed with traditional hospitality from the Lord Provost, the Chairmen o f the Scottish Hospital Boards and the Scottish Branch. Those two days will long be remembered.
Sir Allen Daley 9 Sir Allen retired in mid-February, 1952, from his post as County Medical Officer of Health for London, and sailed soon after to take up his temporary appointment as Associate Health Officer, City of Baltimore, U.S.A. At the meeting of Council of February !st, he took the chair for the last time and, at the conclusion of business, was entertained to a farewell sherry party and :buffet luncheon. He has been Chairman of Council s~nce 1948 and in that capacity served also on the Central Health Services Council. His wise chairmanship and vast knowledge of public health matters have been invaluable both inside and outside the Society, and the Honorary Fellowship to which he was elected on retirement is but a token return of our gratitude.
Other Changes Dr. J. M. Gibson was unaninously elected to the chairmanship of the Council in place of Sir Allen, and is thus continuing
41
his active leadership in the Society's affairs.
Amongst those who have left the Council at the annual interchange of representation is another eider statesman, Dr. R. H. H. Jolly(Presiaent, 1943-44), with a record of 30 years ~ continuous membership of the Council. T o him and other retiring members We give sincere thanks.
Honours
Drs. J. M. Gibson and A. A. E. Newth received the O.B.E. in the last New Year Honours bestowed by His late Majesty King George VI, and Dr. George Chesney received the O.B.E. in the Queen's first Birthday Honours List.
REPORT OF THE HONORARY TREASURER I beg to submit the audited accounts of the Society for the year ended September 3oth, 1952. I t will be seen t h a t the opinion expressed in m y last Annfiai Report t h a t the full effects of rising costs had yet to be experienced has proved to be true and t h a t there is an adverse balance of ~72o in the Income and Expenditure Account. I t is clear t h a t the Council of the Society will have to Consider w a y s and means ~of securing t h a t expenditure and income are evenly balanced. An analysis of the figures shows t h a t the present position is due to matters entirely beyond the con:rol of the Society. Under the general administrative headings of expenditure there has been a considerable all-round improvement b u t the cost of the production of Publi6 Health has increased to such an extent t h a t this improvement has been almost cancelled out. Looking firstly at the income for the year, particular attention is arawn t o t h e great increase in subscripuon income due ~co the larger membership referred to in the Annual Report of Council and to constant efforts of the staff at the central office in collecting overdue subscriptions. The increase in subscription income shown in the accounts for this session is ~34 o. Last year, however, there was an amount of s brought into the accounts from the previous year in respect of subscriptions paid in advance and there is, therefore, an increase of ~562 in the amount actually collected during the year. A owee~, before the end of the session there were only 22 members in arrear; and at the time of writing this R e p o r t there is not a single member whose subscription for the year under review remains unpaid. I t is, however, m y opinion t h a t too much time and money is spent in the collection of subscriptions and I earnestly hope t h a t members will complete Bankers' Order Forms or take other steps themselves to see t h a t subscriptions are paid without the prompting of reminder notices. If those who have not already done so would make this simple contribution t o our efforts we should save between ~6o and ~7o per annum on printing a n d p o s t a g e : Income from investments is down b y ~24 due to the reduc: tion of capital folloycing the sale of investments to meet increased expenses and, the ~ump sum p a y m e n t to M i s s Scotchford on her retirement. Income on Journal account has increased b y /~I32. The total income from all sources was [7,49o, an increas~ of ~448~ On the expenditure side of the accounts, rent and rates show an increase of ~87 I6s. Iod. resulting from a half-year's p a y m e n t of ra~es due to the local authority for the period before the Society's successful appeal against the assessment for rating purposes b y the Valuation Officer. T h i s increase, however, is covered to some extent by reductions in o:her directions and the net increase in expenditure on premises is only L6. There have been normal progressions, under the agreed stag salary scales and the first full year of pension payments to Miss Scotchford also provision has been made for pension contributions for Mr. Crapp and Miss Paten. But economies have been made by alterations in the establishment and the net increase in c o s t under the heading of Staff is /~57. General expenses are slightly larger this year, there being a net increase-of L4o. The increases were: R o l l of Members printing ~IOO (the cost of the past publication is~being spread over t h r e e years), postage and telephone ~r 4, and library ~6. Against these increases there was a saving of expenditure as follows: general printing a n d stationery LI7, miscellaneous expenses L7, auditors' fee ~6, travelling expenses L34, and Annual Dinner ~i8. The cost of the production of the Journal has increased by ~243 due to the very high cost of paper and labour and also to increased postage rates. (Continued on p. 44)
44
PUBLIC
U n d e r t h e h e a d i n g of c a p i t a t i o n allowance it s h o u l d be n o t e d t h a t e x p e n d i t u r e on G r o u p g r a n t s h a s i n c r e a s e d b y s w h e r e a s t h a t o n B r a n c h g r a n t s h a d decreased b y a p p r o x L m a t e l y t h e s a m e a m o u n t . T h i s is d u e to t h e f a c t t h a t it h a s h i t h e r t o b e e n t h e c u s t o m to i n c l u d e ( t h e g r a n t for t h e DenVal Officers' G r o u p u n d e r B r a n c h g r a n t s . T h i s y e a r we h a v e s h o w n t h e costs correc.tly allocated. T h e t o t a l e x p e n d i t u r e h a s increased b y s . T h e l u m p s u m p a y m e n t Of s to Miss Scotchford is s h o w n on t h e B a l a n c e S h e e t as being t a k e n fronl c a p i t a l a c c o u n t . I h a v e m a d e a n e s t i m a t e of t h e e x p e n d i t u r e likely tO be i n c u r r e d d u r i n g t h e c u r r e n t session a n d feel c o n f i d e n t t h a t t h e r e will be a s a t i s f a c t o r y r e d u c t i o n . T h e p a y m e n t of s i6s. r o d . in R a t e s will n o t recur, a n d a f u r t h e r alteration in t h e staffil~.g of t h e Central Office s h o u l d r e d u c e e x p e n d i t u r e b y s ~ , in spite of t h e r e c e n t increase in N a t i o n a l Insurance contributions. Since it h a s a l r e a d y b e e n decided to d i s c o n t i n u e t h e p u b l i c a t i o n of a Roll of M e m b e r s , t h e a m o u n t of s u n d e r t h i s h e a d i n g will n o t a p p e a r a f t e r all t h e e x p e n d i t u r e on t h e l a s t issue h a s b e e n w r i t t e n off. T h e price of p a p e r i s n o w 4 ~ per cent. lower t h a n a t t h i s t i m e last y e a r a n d t h e r e s h o u l d , therefore, be a s a v i n g of a p p r o x i mately s in t h e cost of p o s t a g e a n d special prin'cing. T h e special r e c r u i t i n g drive is n o w c o m p l e t e d a n d t h e cost of p o s t a g e a n d special p r i n t i n g in t h i s c o n n e c t i o n a m o u n t i n g to approximately s will be a v o i d e d : T h e r e d u c t i o n in t h e p e r s o n n e l of t h e G e n e r a t ~ P u r p o s e s C o m m i t t e e a n d t h e f a c t t h a t t h e r e wilt be one less m e e t i n g in t952=53 s h o u l d lead to r e d u c t i o n of t r a v e l l i n g a n d s u b s i s t e n c e e x p e n s e s of m e m b e r s by s T h e r e c e n t A n n u a l D i n n e r s h o u l d cost t h e Society a p p r o x i m a t e l y s ~ less t h a n l a s t year. L a s t l y , t h e u s e of a different p a p e r a n d cover for Public Health. a n d t h e general decrease in its price s h o u l d s a v e a b o u t s If t h e s e e s t i m a t e s p r o v e correct t h e r e will be a t o t a l r e d u c t i o n in a c t u a l e x p e n d i t u r e of L59o. So f a r as i n c o m e is c o n c e r n e d I do n o t a n t i c i p a t e a n y f u r t h e r increase in s u b s c r i p t i o n i n c o m e a t t h e p r e s e n t r a t e s a n d do n o t feel t h a t t h e t i m e is o p p o r t u n e for i n c r e a s i n g t h e s e rates. I n c o m e f r o m i n v e s t m e n t s will decrease f u r t h e r if, as s e e m s likely, we h a v e to sell securities to m e e t e x p e n s e s . There remains only the income on Journal Account. We h a v e r e c e n t l y raised t h e rates for a d v e r t i s e m e n t s , b u t n e w a d v e r t i s i n g is b e c o m i n g i n c r e a s i n g l y difficult to o b t a i n a n d I do n o t feel t h a t we s h o u l d a n t i c i p a t e a s u b s t a n t i a l increase in i n c o m e u n d e r t h i s h e a d i n g . I t does a p p e a r t h a t e v e n w i t h t h e a b o v e - m e n t i o n e d s a v i n g of s we are still a long w a y f r o m b e i n g able to m e e t e x p e n d i t u r e f r o m r e v e n u e a n d we m t r s t t h e r e f o r e seek a n 9 a d d i t i o n a l source of income. I i n t e n d , thei'efore, to r e c o m m e n d to Council t h a t t h e Society r e v e r t t o its f o r m e r practice of r u n n i n g r e f r e s h e r c o u r s e s with t h e h e l p of t h e G r o u p s w i t h a n a p p r o p r i a t e division of a n y profits arising t h e r e f r o m , t a l s o feel t h a t t h e size of t h e Council is t o o large for a Society of 2,2oo m e m b e r s a n d a considerable s a v i n g could be m a d e if t h e r e w a s a n a d j u s t m e n t of t h e B r a n c h a n d G r o u p repres e n t a t i o n . I f t h e s e t w o proposals are accepted, t h e Society w o u l d once m o r e be placed on a s o u n d financial basis. T h e Society h a s b e e n well s e r v e d d u r i n g t h e y e a r u n d e r review b y a loyal a n d h a r d - w o r k i n g staff, all of w h o m from Mr. E l l i s t o n d o w n w a r d s h a v e d e v o t e d t h e m s e l v e s wholeh e a r t e d l y to s e c u r i n g a m o r e s a t i s f a c t o r y financial position; t h i s h a s b e e n v e r y successful in r e g a r d to t h e special recruitm e n t d r i v e a n d in t h e collection of s u b s c r i p t i o n s . W e owe t~hem o u r . g r a t i t u d e . November, 1952. JAMES FENTON
REPORT
OF THE EDITOR OF "PUBLIC~zHEALTH "
Volume 65 of Public Health--t'he issues from October 1951 to September 1952 i n c l u s i v e - - h a s been produced in conditions w h i c h recslled war-time austerity. T h e " b l i t z " took the form this time of rising costs of production, largely d u e to a world shortage of the raw materials for paper. As t h e net cost of p u b l i s h i n g our j o u r n a l m u s t be kept within limits, if it is not to take too large a share of t h e Society's subscription income, t h e o n l y m e t h o d was severely to limit the size of issues. Vol. 65 therefore contained only 206 pages, an average of 17 pages per issue which h a s m e a n t a c o n t i n u o u s process of a b r i d g inent a n d compi-ession, m a k i n g your editor feel like a latter-day version of Milton's " b l i n d f u r y with t h e a b h o r r e d shears." He hopes however that, b y judicious selection, the c o n t e n t s of ~'he
HEALTH,
D e c e m b e r , 1952
j o u r n a l from m o n t h to m o n t h "have reflected the t h o u g h t s a n d activities of m e m b e r s of t h e Society. T h e economic prospects for 1952-53 are somewhat more p r o m i s i n g a n d ir s h o u l d be possible to b r i n g t h e j o u r n a l back toward,s its former dimensions. G? L. C. ELLISTON
November, 1952 SOCIETY OF MEDICAL OFFICERS OF H E A L T H NOTICES
M a t e r n i W a n d Child W e l f a r e Group A general m e e t i n g of t h e Group will be l'leld a n Saturday, December 6th, 1952, at 2.15 p.m., in t h e Old Library, B.M.A. House, Tavistock Square, L o n d o n , W.CA. Dr. G. F. Newboid, Assistant M.O. W e s t H a m C.B., will speak on " Hypnosis a n d Sug gestion in Midwifery." A genera] m e e t i n g of the Group will be held on Friday, J a n u a r y 9th, 1953, at 8 p.m., in t h e Old Library, B.M.A. House, Tavistock Square, L o n d o n , W.C.1. Dr. J. D. Kershaw, M.O.H. Colchester M.B., wilt speak on " U n i t e d N a t i o n s a n d the Welfare of the H a n d i c a p p e d . " M e m b e r s of t h e School H e a l t h Service" Group are cordially invited to a t t e n d this meeting. DR. DORISA. CRAIGMILE)
Hen. Secretar%
DR. MARY T. PATERSON,
Hen. Asst. Secretary.
COUNCIL MEETING T h e first meetifig of t h e C o u n c i l for t h e session 1952-53 was held in t h e Council C h a m b e r of t h e B . M . A . , T a v i s t o c k H o u s e , T a v i s t o c k Square, L o n d o n , W . C . ] , o n Friday, O c t o b e r 24th, 91959,, at 10 a.m. Present.--The P r e s i d e n t (Dr. A n d r e w T o p p i n g ) , t h e C h a i r m a n of Council (Dr. J. M . Gibson), D r s . W. Alcock, F. A. Belam, R. T . Bevan, W . H. Bradley, J. S. G. B u r n e t t , H. D. Chalke, H. M. C o h e n , H. K e n n e t h Cowan, C. K . C u l l e n , F. M . Day, J a m e s F e n t o n , M i r i a m Florcntin, F. Gray, K a t h l e e n M . Hart, A. S. H e b b l e t h w a i t e , C. E. H e r i n g t o n , J. H . H u d s o n , J. D. K e r s h a w , J. B. M c K i n n e y , J. M a d d i s o n , M . i M i t m a n , A. A. E. N e w t h , Prof. R. H. Parry, D r s . (3. H. Pringle, T . R u d d o c k - W e s t , H. L . Settle, M r ; J. F. A. S m y t h , L.D.S., Drs. J. A. Stirling, E. J. ( b o r d e n Wallace, W . S. W a l t o n , N o r a I. Wattle, H . C. M a u r i c e Williams, a n d J. Yule. Dr. A. V. Kelynack, A s s i s t a n t Secretary of t h e B . M . A . , also attended. Apologies for absence were received f r o m : Drs. F. (3. Brown, A. (3. Reekie, W . Woolley a n d M a j . - G e n . T . Y o u n g .
1. T h e M e m b e r s h i p
of C o u n c i l for the S e s s i o n 1952-53
(with t h e e x c e p t i o n of t h o s e m e m b e r s to be c o - o p t e d ur~der Articles 19 (d) a n d 19 ( f ) ) was reported. 2. W e l c o m e to N e w M e m b e r s . - - A hearty w e l c o m e was e x t e n d e d to n e w m e m b e r s of Council, n a m e l y : D r s . R. T . Bevan, H. L. Settle, J. H. H u d s o n a n d J. D. K e r s h a w .
on
3. T h e M i n u t e s o f the M e e t i n g o f the C o u n c i l h e l d Friday, S e p t e m b e r x9th, x952. (PUBLIC HEALTH, Sep-
tember, pages 202-204), were c o n f i r m e d a n d signed b y t h e Chairman.
4. M e d i c a l
Man-power
in W a r t i m e
( M i n . 178).--The
Executive Secretary reported t h a t a r r a n g e m e n t s were b e i n g m a d e for a m e e t i n g , w i t h representatives of t h e Local A u t h o r i t y Associations, to be h e l d s h o r t l y finally to d e t e r m i n e t h e m e m b e r ship of t h e Area R e c r u i t m e n t C o m m i t t e e s . It was h o p e d that the first m e e t i n g of t h e C o m m i t t e e s w o u l d be held very shortly. 5. B . M . A . S u b s c r i p t i o n s (Min. 185).--It was r e p o r t e d that t h e Council of t h e B . M . A . w o u l d consider r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s at its n e x t m e e t i n g for r e d u c e d rates of s u b s c r i p t i o n for ~salaried officers. 6. H e a l t h Control at Airports (Min. 199).~'It was reported that letters h a d b e e n received f r o m two m e m b e r s asking t h e Society to give f u r t h e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n to t h e regulations recently b r o u g h t into force" on t h e q u e s t i o n of H e a l t h ContrOl at Airports. T h e m e m b e r s d r e w a t t e n t i o n to t h e disquiet t h a t was felt b y m a n y m e m b e r s o n t h e q u e s t i o n of t h e tracing of contacts. It was agreed that t h e Society could do n o t h i n g in this m a t t e r as this position h a d b e e n forced on to t h e M i n i s t r y as a result of international a g r e e m e n t . T h e M i n i s t r y were, however, w a t c h Jng t h e position very closely. 7. E v a c u a t i o n o f C h i l d r e n (Min. 200).--Dr. N e w t h gave a verbal report on t h e action b e i n g taken b y t h e School H e a l t h Service G r o u p on the s u g g e s t e d code to b e u s e d to convey
Refresher Courses and Clinical Meetings The Maternity and Child Welfare Group held clinical weekends at Oxford, in co-operation with the Institute of Social Medicine and the Slade Hospital, on May 10th and l l t h , 1952, and in London following the National Conference on Maternity and Child Welfare, on June 28th and 29th, 1952. Both these occasions were very well supported. The School Health Service Group organised a week-end in co-operati0n with the Department of Education of the Deaf, University of Manchester, held in that city on March 29th, and 30th, 1952, and a five-day refresher course at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine from September 15th to 19th, ]952. Here again the available places were over-subscribed. We consider that the provision of post-graduate education is one of the most valuable functions of the Society and hope to foster wider developments in this field.
The Retiring President The Society had reason to Congratulate itself on its choice of a Scottish President from Scotland. Dr. W. G. Clark brought his incisive mind to bear on the current problems of the Public Health Servlce, and in both his Presidential Address to the Society and t6 the Conference of Medical Off• of Health during the Royal Sanitary Institute's Congress at Margate in April, 1952,.he gave us much food for thought. His speech at the Annual Dinner, when he replied to the toast of the Society by Miss Pat Hornsby-Smith, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, was also a most happy one. But the culmination of his year of office was undoubtedly the meeting of the Council and the combined meeting with the Scottish Branch in Edinburgh on July 18th and !lgth, interspersed with traditional hospitality from the Lord Provost, the Chairmen o f the Scottish Hospital Boards and the Scottish Branch. Those two days will long be remembered.
Sir Allen Daley 9 Sir Allen retired in mid-February, 1952, from his post as County Medical Officer of Health for London, and sailed soon after to take up his temporary appointment as Associate Health Officer, City of Baltimore, U.S.A. At the meeting of Council of February !st, he took the chair for the last time and, at the conclusion of business, was entertained to a farewell sherry party and :buffet luncheon. He has been Chairman of Council s~nce 1948 and in that capacity served also on the Central Health Services Council. His wise chairmanship and vast knowledge of public health matters have been invaluable both inside and outside the Society, and the Honorary Fellowship to which he was elected on retirement is but a token return of our gratitude.
Other Changes Dr. J. M. Gibson was unaninously elected to the chairmanship of the Council in place of Sir Allen, and is thus continuing
41
his active leadership in the Society's affairs.
Amongst those who have left the Council at the annual interchange of representation is another eider statesman, Dr. R. H. H. Jolly(Presiaent, 1943-44), with a record of 30 years ~ continuous membership of the Council. T o him and other retiring members We give sincere thanks.
Honours
Drs. J. M. Gibson and A. A. E. Newth received the O.B.E. in the last New Year Honours bestowed by His late Majesty King George VI, and Dr. George Chesney received the O.B.E. in the Queen's first Birthday Honours List.
REPORT OF THE HONORARY TREASURER I beg to submit the audited accounts of the Society for the year ended September 3oth, 1952. I t will be seen t h a t the opinion expressed in m y last Annfiai Report t h a t the full effects of rising costs had yet to be experienced has proved to be true and t h a t there is an adverse balance of ~72o in the Income and Expenditure Account. I t is clear t h a t the Council of the Society will have to Consider w a y s and means ~of securing t h a t expenditure and income are evenly balanced. An analysis of the figures shows t h a t the present position is due to matters entirely beyond the con:rol of the Society. Under the general administrative headings of expenditure there has been a considerable all-round improvement b u t the cost of the production of Publi6 Health has increased to such an extent t h a t this improvement has been almost cancelled out. Looking firstly at the income for the year, particular attention is arawn t o t h e great increase in subscripuon income due ~co the larger membership referred to in the Annual Report of Council and to constant efforts of the staff at the central office in collecting overdue subscriptions. The increase in subscription income shown in the accounts for this session is ~34 o. Last year, however, there was an amount of s brought into the accounts from the previous year in respect of subscriptions paid in advance and there is, therefore, an increase of ~562 in the amount actually collected during the year. A owee~, before the end of the session there were only 22 members in arrear; and at the time of writing this R e p o r t there is not a single member whose subscription for the year under review remains unpaid. I t is, however, m y opinion t h a t too much time and money is spent in the collection of subscriptions and I earnestly hope t h a t members will complete Bankers' Order Forms or take other steps themselves to see t h a t subscriptions are paid without the prompting of reminder notices. If those who have not already done so would make this simple contribution t o our efforts we should save between ~6o and ~7o per annum on printing a n d p o s t a g e : Income from investments is down b y ~24 due to the reduc: tion of capital folloycing the sale of investments to meet increased expenses and, the ~ump sum p a y m e n t to M i s s Scotchford on her retirement. Income on Journal account has increased b y /~I32. The total income from all sources was [7,49o, an increas~ of ~448~ On the expenditure side of the accounts, rent and rates show an increase of ~87 I6s. Iod. resulting from a half-year's p a y m e n t of ra~es due to the local authority for the period before the Society's successful appeal against the assessment for rating purposes b y the Valuation Officer. T h i s increase, however, is covered to some extent by reductions in o:her directions and the net increase in expenditure on premises is only L6. There have been normal progressions, under the agreed stag salary scales and the first full year of pension payments to Miss Scotchford also provision has been made for pension contributions for Mr. Crapp and Miss Paten. But economies have been made by alterations in the establishment and the net increase in c o s t under the heading of Staff is /~57. General expenses are slightly larger this year, there being a net increase-of L4o. The increases were: R o l l of Members printing ~IOO (the cost of the past publication is~being spread over t h r e e years), postage and telephone ~r 4, and library ~6. Against these increases there was a saving of expenditure as follows: general printing a n d stationery LI7, miscellaneous expenses L7, auditors' fee ~6, travelling expenses L34, and Annual Dinner ~i8. The cost of the production of the Journal has increased by ~243 due to the very high cost of paper and labour and also to increased postage rates. (Continued on p. 44)
44
PUBLIC
U n d e r t h e h e a d i n g of c a p i t a t i o n allowance it s h o u l d be n o t e d t h a t e x p e n d i t u r e on G r o u p g r a n t s h a s i n c r e a s e d b y s w h e r e a s t h a t o n B r a n c h g r a n t s h a d decreased b y a p p r o x L m a t e l y t h e s a m e a m o u n t . T h i s is d u e to t h e f a c t t h a t it h a s h i t h e r t o b e e n t h e c u s t o m to i n c l u d e ( t h e g r a n t for t h e DenVal Officers' G r o u p u n d e r B r a n c h g r a n t s . T h i s y e a r we h a v e s h o w n t h e costs correc.tly allocated. T h e t o t a l e x p e n d i t u r e h a s increased b y s . T h e l u m p s u m p a y m e n t Of s to Miss Scotchford is s h o w n on t h e B a l a n c e S h e e t as being t a k e n fronl c a p i t a l a c c o u n t . I h a v e m a d e a n e s t i m a t e of t h e e x p e n d i t u r e likely tO be i n c u r r e d d u r i n g t h e c u r r e n t session a n d feel c o n f i d e n t t h a t t h e r e will be a s a t i s f a c t o r y r e d u c t i o n . T h e p a y m e n t of s i6s. r o d . in R a t e s will n o t recur, a n d a f u r t h e r alteration in t h e staffil~.g of t h e Central Office s h o u l d r e d u c e e x p e n d i t u r e b y s ~ , in spite of t h e r e c e n t increase in N a t i o n a l Insurance contributions. Since it h a s a l r e a d y b e e n decided to d i s c o n t i n u e t h e p u b l i c a t i o n of a Roll of M e m b e r s , t h e a m o u n t of s u n d e r t h i s h e a d i n g will n o t a p p e a r a f t e r all t h e e x p e n d i t u r e on t h e l a s t issue h a s b e e n w r i t t e n off. T h e price of p a p e r i s n o w 4 ~ per cent. lower t h a n a t t h i s t i m e last y e a r a n d t h e r e s h o u l d , therefore, be a s a v i n g of a p p r o x i mately s in t h e cost of p o s t a g e a n d special prin'cing. T h e special r e c r u i t i n g drive is n o w c o m p l e t e d a n d t h e cost of p o s t a g e a n d special p r i n t i n g in t h i s c o n n e c t i o n a m o u n t i n g to approximately s will be a v o i d e d : T h e r e d u c t i o n in t h e p e r s o n n e l of t h e G e n e r a t ~ P u r p o s e s C o m m i t t e e a n d t h e f a c t t h a t t h e r e wilt be one less m e e t i n g in t952=53 s h o u l d lead to r e d u c t i o n of t r a v e l l i n g a n d s u b s i s t e n c e e x p e n s e s of m e m b e r s by s T h e r e c e n t A n n u a l D i n n e r s h o u l d cost t h e Society a p p r o x i m a t e l y s ~ less t h a n l a s t year. L a s t l y , t h e u s e of a different p a p e r a n d cover for Public Health. a n d t h e general decrease in its price s h o u l d s a v e a b o u t s If t h e s e e s t i m a t e s p r o v e correct t h e r e will be a t o t a l r e d u c t i o n in a c t u a l e x p e n d i t u r e of L59o. So f a r as i n c o m e is c o n c e r n e d I do n o t a n t i c i p a t e a n y f u r t h e r increase in s u b s c r i p t i o n i n c o m e a t t h e p r e s e n t r a t e s a n d do n o t feel t h a t t h e t i m e is o p p o r t u n e for i n c r e a s i n g t h e s e rates. I n c o m e f r o m i n v e s t m e n t s will decrease f u r t h e r if, as s e e m s likely, we h a v e to sell securities to m e e t e x p e n s e s . There remains only the income on Journal Account. We h a v e r e c e n t l y raised t h e rates for a d v e r t i s e m e n t s , b u t n e w a d v e r t i s i n g is b e c o m i n g i n c r e a s i n g l y difficult to o b t a i n a n d I do n o t feel t h a t we s h o u l d a n t i c i p a t e a s u b s t a n t i a l increase in i n c o m e u n d e r t h i s h e a d i n g . I t does a p p e a r t h a t e v e n w i t h t h e a b o v e - m e n t i o n e d s a v i n g of s we are still a long w a y f r o m b e i n g able to m e e t e x p e n d i t u r e f r o m r e v e n u e a n d we m t r s t t h e r e f o r e seek a n 9 a d d i t i o n a l source of income. I i n t e n d , thei'efore, to r e c o m m e n d to Council t h a t t h e Society r e v e r t t o its f o r m e r practice of r u n n i n g r e f r e s h e r c o u r s e s with t h e h e l p of t h e G r o u p s w i t h a n a p p r o p r i a t e division of a n y profits arising t h e r e f r o m , t a l s o feel t h a t t h e size of t h e Council is t o o large for a Society of 2,2oo m e m b e r s a n d a considerable s a v i n g could be m a d e if t h e r e w a s a n a d j u s t m e n t of t h e B r a n c h a n d G r o u p repres e n t a t i o n . I f t h e s e t w o proposals are accepted, t h e Society w o u l d once m o r e be placed on a s o u n d financial basis. T h e Society h a s b e e n well s e r v e d d u r i n g t h e y e a r u n d e r review b y a loyal a n d h a r d - w o r k i n g staff, all of w h o m from Mr. E l l i s t o n d o w n w a r d s h a v e d e v o t e d t h e m s e l v e s wholeh e a r t e d l y to s e c u r i n g a m o r e s a t i s f a c t o r y financial position; t h i s h a s b e e n v e r y successful in r e g a r d to t h e special recruitm e n t d r i v e a n d in t h e collection of s u b s c r i p t i o n s . W e owe t~hem o u r . g r a t i t u d e . November, 1952. JAMES FENTON
REPORT
OF THE EDITOR OF "PUBLIC~zHEALTH "
Volume 65 of Public Health--t'he issues from October 1951 to September 1952 i n c l u s i v e - - h a s been produced in conditions w h i c h recslled war-time austerity. T h e " b l i t z " took the form this time of rising costs of production, largely d u e to a world shortage of the raw materials for paper. As t h e net cost of p u b l i s h i n g our j o u r n a l m u s t be kept within limits, if it is not to take too large a share of t h e Society's subscription income, t h e o n l y m e t h o d was severely to limit the size of issues. Vol. 65 therefore contained only 206 pages, an average of 17 pages per issue which h a s m e a n t a c o n t i n u o u s process of a b r i d g inent a n d compi-ession, m a k i n g your editor feel like a latter-day version of Milton's " b l i n d f u r y with t h e a b h o r r e d shears." He hopes however that, b y judicious selection, the c o n t e n t s of ~'he
HEALTH,
D e c e m b e r , 1952
j o u r n a l from m o n t h to m o n t h "have reflected the t h o u g h t s a n d activities of m e m b e r s of t h e Society. T h e economic prospects for 1952-53 are somewhat more p r o m i s i n g a n d ir s h o u l d be possible to b r i n g t h e j o u r n a l back toward,s its former dimensions. G? L. C. ELLISTON
November, 1952 SOCIETY OF MEDICAL OFFICERS OF H E A L T H NOTICES
M a t e r n i W a n d Child W e l f a r e Group A general m e e t i n g of t h e Group will be l'leld a n Saturday, December 6th, 1952, at 2.15 p.m., in t h e Old Library, B.M.A. House, Tavistock Square, L o n d o n , W.CA. Dr. G. F. Newboid, Assistant M.O. W e s t H a m C.B., will speak on " Hypnosis a n d Sug gestion in Midwifery." A genera] m e e t i n g of the Group will be held on Friday, J a n u a r y 9th, 1953, at 8 p.m., in t h e Old Library, B.M.A. House, Tavistock Square, L o n d o n , W.C.1. Dr. J. D. Kershaw, M.O.H. Colchester M.B., wilt speak on " U n i t e d N a t i o n s a n d the Welfare of the H a n d i c a p p e d . " M e m b e r s of t h e School H e a l t h Service" Group are cordially invited to a t t e n d this meeting. DR. DORISA. CRAIGMILE)
Hen. Secretar%
DR. MARY T. PATERSON,
Hen. Asst. Secretary.
COUNCIL MEETING T h e first meetifig of t h e C o u n c i l for t h e session 1952-53 was held in t h e Council C h a m b e r of t h e B . M . A . , T a v i s t o c k H o u s e , T a v i s t o c k Square, L o n d o n , W . C . ] , o n Friday, O c t o b e r 24th, 91959,, at 10 a.m. Present.--The P r e s i d e n t (Dr. A n d r e w T o p p i n g ) , t h e C h a i r m a n of Council (Dr. J. M . Gibson), D r s . W. Alcock, F. A. Belam, R. T . Bevan, W . H. Bradley, J. S. G. B u r n e t t , H. D. Chalke, H. M. C o h e n , H. K e n n e t h Cowan, C. K . C u l l e n , F. M . Day, J a m e s F e n t o n , M i r i a m Florcntin, F. Gray, K a t h l e e n M . Hart, A. S. H e b b l e t h w a i t e , C. E. H e r i n g t o n , J. H . H u d s o n , J. D. K e r s h a w , J. B. M c K i n n e y , J. M a d d i s o n , M . i M i t m a n , A. A. E. N e w t h , Prof. R. H. Parry, D r s . (3. H. Pringle, T . R u d d o c k - W e s t , H. L . Settle, M r ; J. F. A. S m y t h , L.D.S., Drs. J. A. Stirling, E. J. ( b o r d e n Wallace, W . S. W a l t o n , N o r a I. Wattle, H . C. M a u r i c e Williams, a n d J. Yule. Dr. A. V. Kelynack, A s s i s t a n t Secretary of t h e B . M . A . , also attended. Apologies for absence were received f r o m : Drs. F. (3. Brown, A. (3. Reekie, W . Woolley a n d M a j . - G e n . T . Y o u n g .
1. T h e M e m b e r s h i p
of C o u n c i l for the S e s s i o n 1952-53
(with t h e e x c e p t i o n of t h o s e m e m b e r s to be c o - o p t e d ur~der Articles 19 (d) a n d 19 ( f ) ) was reported. 2. W e l c o m e to N e w M e m b e r s . - - A hearty w e l c o m e was e x t e n d e d to n e w m e m b e r s of Council, n a m e l y : D r s . R. T . Bevan, H. L. Settle, J. H. H u d s o n a n d J. D. K e r s h a w .
on
3. T h e M i n u t e s o f the M e e t i n g o f the C o u n c i l h e l d Friday, S e p t e m b e r x9th, x952. (PUBLIC HEALTH, Sep-
tember, pages 202-204), were c o n f i r m e d a n d signed b y t h e Chairman.
4. M e d i c a l
Man-power
in W a r t i m e
( M i n . 178).--The
Executive Secretary reported t h a t a r r a n g e m e n t s were b e i n g m a d e for a m e e t i n g , w i t h representatives of t h e Local A u t h o r i t y Associations, to be h e l d s h o r t l y finally to d e t e r m i n e t h e m e m b e r ship of t h e Area R e c r u i t m e n t C o m m i t t e e s . It was h o p e d that the first m e e t i n g of t h e C o m m i t t e e s w o u l d be held very shortly. 5. B . M . A . S u b s c r i p t i o n s (Min. 185).--It was r e p o r t e d that t h e Council of t h e B . M . A . w o u l d consider r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s at its n e x t m e e t i n g for r e d u c e d rates of s u b s c r i p t i o n for ~salaried officers. 6. H e a l t h Control at Airports (Min. 199).~'It was reported that letters h a d b e e n received f r o m two m e m b e r s asking t h e Society to give f u r t h e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n to t h e regulations recently b r o u g h t into force" on t h e q u e s t i o n of H e a l t h ContrOl at Airports. T h e m e m b e r s d r e w a t t e n t i o n to t h e disquiet t h a t was felt b y m a n y m e m b e r s o n t h e q u e s t i o n of t h e tracing of contacts. It was agreed that t h e Society could do n o t h i n g in this m a t t e r as this position h a d b e e n forced on to t h e M i n i s t r y as a result of international a g r e e m e n t . T h e M i n i s t r y were, however, w a t c h Jng t h e position very closely. 7. E v a c u a t i o n o f C h i l d r e n (Min. 200).--Dr. N e w t h gave a verbal report on t h e action b e i n g taken b y t h e School H e a l t h Service G r o u p on the s u g g e s t e d code to b e u s e d to convey