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The president
PUBLIC HEALTH Official Journal of the Society of Medical Officers of Health
Contents PAGE
The President
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
R.S.I. into R.S.H .
.
.
.
" Journal of the S o c i e t y "
.
.
.
.
.
.
1
.
2
.. . . . . . .
Another Pilot Survey of Industrial Health
3
....
3
R a n d o m Reflections Charles F. White, Om.E., M.D., D.Pm . . . . .
4
The Handicapped Adult Within the C o m m u n i t y J. B. Meredith Davies, M.O., D.P.~ . . . . . . .
7
Old People in a N e w W o r l d Jeannette Diamond, M.a., cH.n., D.P.H., D.R.C.O.G.
12
Significance of H e a r t Murmurs in School Children A. P. M. Page, M.D., ~.R.C.P., O.C.H. Obituaries
..
17
. . . . . . . . . . . .
19
Recent Circulars . . . . . . . . . . . .
21
Branch and G r o u p Meetings
22
. . . . . . . .
October 1955 No 1 Vol I , X I X
MANAGERIAL
'The President
NOTICES
Subscriptions.--The rate o f subscription to PUBLIC HEALTH is 35S. for one year. PUBLIC HEALTH is the Official Organ o f the Society o f Medical Officers o f Health and a suitable medium for the advertisement o f official appointments vacant in the health service. Space is also available for a certain number o f approved commercial advertisements. Application should be made to the Manager. Advertisements.--Rates may be obtained on application. Official classified advertisements are charged at 4s. per line or part o f a line. Minimum charge 42s. All letters relating to the publication, sale, and advertising departments o f this journal should be addressed to The Manager, PUBLIC H E A L T H , Tavistock House South, Tavistock Square, London, W.C.I. Telephone : Euston 3923. Telegrams : Epidauros, Westeent.
THE SOCIETY is indeed fortunate in the choice of Dr. Charles F. White as President in the centenary year of its foundation ; was not an illustrious predecessor, Sir J o h n Simon, the first Medical Officer of Health of the City of L o n d o n just 100 years ago and was he not also the first President of our Society ? The office he and his successors occupied in the serene precincts of Guildhall Yard suffered such damage in the war that Dr. White had to m o v e to the heights of an office building in M o o r g a t e where for the past 15 years he has kept watch on the health of the City. There you will find him. Through gleaming spcetacles his kindly blue eyes greet you warmly. A handsome leonine head crowned wi~h a rich white shock of well disciplined hair is in tone with the fresh clean shaven complexion of the lover of country life. F r o m the high window he will show you one of his chief concerns, the smoke haze So threatening to the health
PUBLIC HEALTH and cleanliness of the City. He will tell you of the unceasing efforts of the late Sir George Elliston--sometime chairman of the Health Committee and one of the chief architects in reorganising the Society of Medical Officers of Health--to combat the menace. But he will hardly mention the part he has played in achieving at last a smokeless zone of the City. Although Dr. White has been Medical Officer of Health of the City for 18 years, it is by his achievements in port health that he is best known. First in Liverpool as Assistant Medical Officer and then in London as Medical Officer of Health to the Port Health Authority, he has made a name known throughout the country and abroad in port health administration. Overseas authorities and shipping companies have sought his advice on such matters as the prevention of infections including plague, hygiene of crews' quarters and food cargoes. In London, the port hospital at Denton as it is to-day and the use of modern boarding launches owe much to his initiative, As a pioneer in the use of H.C.N., he almost lost his life whilst rescuing an assistant on board ship, Dr. White received the life-saving medal of the Royal Humane Society for his gallantry. Dr. White was born in i890, son of a successful and wise doctor in the Peak district of Derbyshire, who held strong views on the encroachment of panel practice on the individual doctor-patient relationship on which so much success in diagnosis and treatment depends. Private practice in 1912 seemed already threatened and he advised a public health career for his son. So on leaving King Edward VI School, Retford, where he distinguished himself in learning and in games, he entered Manchester University. There he again acquired distinction and medals, especially in surgery. Resident posts in Manchester Royal Infirmary and other hospitals followed. But the call to arms in 1914 interrupted his hospital career. As a keen Territorial he was mobilised with the 6th Battalion Cheshires and sent to France as a combatant officer, and not until mid 1915 was he seconded to the R.A.M.C. White in an advanced post he sustained a penetrating abdominal wound. A providential recovery entailing a six months convalescence, aided by a happy marriage, ended in a return to military duties in France. In 1919 he was back in Manchester Royal Infirmary as R.M.O. and studying for the D.P.H., which he took with such distinction that he soon became Assistant Port Medical Officer under Dr. H a n n a in Liverpool. It was in Liverpool that he gained the experience and knowledge of port health " which has enabled him to write authoritatively on the various aspects of this subject. In 1927, as a medical officer of the Ministry of Health, he added to his experience by investigating infectious outbreaks throughout the country, but within a year he returned to the work he loved most as Medical Officer of Health of the port health authority of London. In 1937, on the death of Dr. Willoughby, he was invited to become Medical Officer of Health of the City where he has earned the warm regard of the members of the Corporation by his wise judgment, unfailing kindness and ready willingness to help in problems, both public and personal. In the last war, the success of the City's Casualty Services was conspicuous. Dr. White was always there supervising the
work of rescue and first aid while encouraging the downhearted with chaff and jest. For his outstanding part in civil defence he was, in 1941, awarded the O.B.E. He brings to the problems of the hour a wealth of eommonsense, skill and experience with a keen discernment of what is practicable and what is not. Often in meetings of his colleagues, he has enlivened the atmosphere by pricking the bubble of some far-fetched proposal by a well-timed shaft of good sense and wit. But they all regard him with real affection and as an after-dinner speaker he is very p o p u l a r ; his anecdotes, especially those with a Merseyside tang, are eagerly awaited and enjoyed. How does he spend his leisure ? Apart from motoring to visit friends, his absorbing recreation is in his beautiful garden in Bucks where Mrs. White and he have made a most attractive home, a fitting subject for illustration in the Field. It is a wonderful tribute to a happy and successful partnership. There they cherish the gift of hospitality and the affectionate good wishes of their many friends for a happy and successful year go with them. R.S.I. into R.S.H. " SANITARY--Of conditions relating to h e a l t h " : thus our dictionary, giving a breadth of scope which need n o t , embarrass the Royal Sanitary Institute in any of the new fields into which it has been venturing in recent years. To those who use words as they should be used, a Royal Sanitary Institute would not need to describe itself in vulgar detail as a Royal Society for the Promotion of Health, for such would already be implicit in-the title. But these are times when the connoisseurs of words are in a minority and when the p u b l i c i e v e n the educated public---demands to be spoon-fed. Twice in the past 18 months we have ourselves read papers to meetings of the R.S.I. and on each occasion more than a few of our lay acquaintances have asked us how and why a " sanitary " body should have come to be interested in such subjects. If our own acquaintances cannot see essential meanings, then perhaps it is right to give the public at large something simple. We watch the title change with a good deal of regret and even concern. Behind the name there is a tradition and one which goes back to the earliest days of systematised public health work in this country. In other spheres tradition has held out firm against changing semantics and even against changing society. We should like to know how often the Honourable Artillery Company has considered changing its name. How much does-the Society of Apothecaries suffer from its archaic title ? Within that same square mile, how many Pattenmakers now make pattens and how many Bowyers and Fletchers follow their ancient callings ? How many of the public would be prepared to say at once and without research exactly what a Loriner does, though the Loriners are the sixth largest of the City Companies ? In this change we lose more than a name--we lose a link with social history. For the R.S.I. derived its title from the "Sanitary Idea," the concept of Edwin Chadwick and those who worked with him that the environment had much to do with the total man. It was their misfortune that the exigencies of their time made drains their most obviously urgent con-
Contents PAGE
The President
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
R.S.I. into R.S.H .
.
.
.
" Journal of the S o c i e t y "
.
.
.
.
.
.
1
.
2
.. . . . . . .
Another Pilot Survey of Industrial Health
3
....
3
R a n d o m Reflections Charles F. White, Om.E., M.D., D.Pm . . . . .
4
The Handicapped Adult Within the C o m m u n i t y J. B. Meredith Davies, M.O., D.P.~ . . . . . . .
7
Old People in a N e w W o r l d Jeannette Diamond, M.a., cH.n., D.P.H., D.R.C.O.G.
12
Significance of H e a r t Murmurs in School Children A. P. M. Page, M.D., ~.R.C.P., O.C.H. Obituaries
..
17
. . . . . . . . . . . .
19
Recent Circulars . . . . . . . . . . . .
21
Branch and G r o u p Meetings
22
. . . . . . . .
October 1955 No 1 Vol I , X I X
MANAGERIAL
'The President
NOTICES
Subscriptions.--The rate o f subscription to PUBLIC HEALTH is 35S. for one year. PUBLIC HEALTH is the Official Organ o f the Society o f Medical Officers o f Health and a suitable medium for the advertisement o f official appointments vacant in the health service. Space is also available for a certain number o f approved commercial advertisements. Application should be made to the Manager. Advertisements.--Rates may be obtained on application. Official classified advertisements are charged at 4s. per line or part o f a line. Minimum charge 42s. All letters relating to the publication, sale, and advertising departments o f this journal should be addressed to The Manager, PUBLIC H E A L T H , Tavistock House South, Tavistock Square, London, W.C.I. Telephone : Euston 3923. Telegrams : Epidauros, Westeent.
THE SOCIETY is indeed fortunate in the choice of Dr. Charles F. White as President in the centenary year of its foundation ; was not an illustrious predecessor, Sir J o h n Simon, the first Medical Officer of Health of the City of L o n d o n just 100 years ago and was he not also the first President of our Society ? The office he and his successors occupied in the serene precincts of Guildhall Yard suffered such damage in the war that Dr. White had to m o v e to the heights of an office building in M o o r g a t e where for the past 15 years he has kept watch on the health of the City. There you will find him. Through gleaming spcetacles his kindly blue eyes greet you warmly. A handsome leonine head crowned wi~h a rich white shock of well disciplined hair is in tone with the fresh clean shaven complexion of the lover of country life. F r o m the high window he will show you one of his chief concerns, the smoke haze So threatening to the health
PUBLIC HEALTH and cleanliness of the City. He will tell you of the unceasing efforts of the late Sir George Elliston--sometime chairman of the Health Committee and one of the chief architects in reorganising the Society of Medical Officers of Health--to combat the menace. But he will hardly mention the part he has played in achieving at last a smokeless zone of the City. Although Dr. White has been Medical Officer of Health of the City for 18 years, it is by his achievements in port health that he is best known. First in Liverpool as Assistant Medical Officer and then in London as Medical Officer of Health to the Port Health Authority, he has made a name known throughout the country and abroad in port health administration. Overseas authorities and shipping companies have sought his advice on such matters as the prevention of infections including plague, hygiene of crews' quarters and food cargoes. In London, the port hospital at Denton as it is to-day and the use of modern boarding launches owe much to his initiative, As a pioneer in the use of H.C.N., he almost lost his life whilst rescuing an assistant on board ship, Dr. White received the life-saving medal of the Royal Humane Society for his gallantry. Dr. White was born in i890, son of a successful and wise doctor in the Peak district of Derbyshire, who held strong views on the encroachment of panel practice on the individual doctor-patient relationship on which so much success in diagnosis and treatment depends. Private practice in 1912 seemed already threatened and he advised a public health career for his son. So on leaving King Edward VI School, Retford, where he distinguished himself in learning and in games, he entered Manchester University. There he again acquired distinction and medals, especially in surgery. Resident posts in Manchester Royal Infirmary and other hospitals followed. But the call to arms in 1914 interrupted his hospital career. As a keen Territorial he was mobilised with the 6th Battalion Cheshires and sent to France as a combatant officer, and not until mid 1915 was he seconded to the R.A.M.C. White in an advanced post he sustained a penetrating abdominal wound. A providential recovery entailing a six months convalescence, aided by a happy marriage, ended in a return to military duties in France. In 1919 he was back in Manchester Royal Infirmary as R.M.O. and studying for the D.P.H., which he took with such distinction that he soon became Assistant Port Medical Officer under Dr. H a n n a in Liverpool. It was in Liverpool that he gained the experience and knowledge of port health " which has enabled him to write authoritatively on the various aspects of this subject. In 1927, as a medical officer of the Ministry of Health, he added to his experience by investigating infectious outbreaks throughout the country, but within a year he returned to the work he loved most as Medical Officer of Health of the port health authority of London. In 1937, on the death of Dr. Willoughby, he was invited to become Medical Officer of Health of the City where he has earned the warm regard of the members of the Corporation by his wise judgment, unfailing kindness and ready willingness to help in problems, both public and personal. In the last war, the success of the City's Casualty Services was conspicuous. Dr. White was always there supervising the
work of rescue and first aid while encouraging the downhearted with chaff and jest. For his outstanding part in civil defence he was, in 1941, awarded the O.B.E. He brings to the problems of the hour a wealth of eommonsense, skill and experience with a keen discernment of what is practicable and what is not. Often in meetings of his colleagues, he has enlivened the atmosphere by pricking the bubble of some far-fetched proposal by a well-timed shaft of good sense and wit. But they all regard him with real affection and as an after-dinner speaker he is very p o p u l a r ; his anecdotes, especially those with a Merseyside tang, are eagerly awaited and enjoyed. How does he spend his leisure ? Apart from motoring to visit friends, his absorbing recreation is in his beautiful garden in Bucks where Mrs. White and he have made a most attractive home, a fitting subject for illustration in the Field. It is a wonderful tribute to a happy and successful partnership. There they cherish the gift of hospitality and the affectionate good wishes of their many friends for a happy and successful year go with them. R.S.I. into R.S.H. " SANITARY--Of conditions relating to h e a l t h " : thus our dictionary, giving a breadth of scope which need n o t , embarrass the Royal Sanitary Institute in any of the new fields into which it has been venturing in recent years. To those who use words as they should be used, a Royal Sanitary Institute would not need to describe itself in vulgar detail as a Royal Society for the Promotion of Health, for such would already be implicit in-the title. But these are times when the connoisseurs of words are in a minority and when the p u b l i c i e v e n the educated public---demands to be spoon-fed. Twice in the past 18 months we have ourselves read papers to meetings of the R.S.I. and on each occasion more than a few of our lay acquaintances have asked us how and why a " sanitary " body should have come to be interested in such subjects. If our own acquaintances cannot see essential meanings, then perhaps it is right to give the public at large something simple. We watch the title change with a good deal of regret and even concern. Behind the name there is a tradition and one which goes back to the earliest days of systematised public health work in this country. In other spheres tradition has held out firm against changing semantics and even against changing society. We should like to know how often the Honourable Artillery Company has considered changing its name. How much does-the Society of Apothecaries suffer from its archaic title ? Within that same square mile, how many Pattenmakers now make pattens and how many Bowyers and Fletchers follow their ancient callings ? How many of the public would be prepared to say at once and without research exactly what a Loriner does, though the Loriners are the sixth largest of the City Companies ? In this change we lose more than a name--we lose a link with social history. For the R.S.I. derived its title from the "Sanitary Idea," the concept of Edwin Chadwick and those who worked with him that the environment had much to do with the total man. It was their misfortune that the exigencies of their time made drains their most obviously urgent con-