- Email: [email protected]
The West of England Branch
90
DECEMBER,
PUBLIC HEALTH.
Dr. Howell and Dr. C. S. Thomson are prepared to give evidence, if requested, showing the need of registration. A letter was read to the Branch in which it was stated that the NestI6 and Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company will be pleased to arrange for a visit to be paid by the Branch members to their Chippenham factory. It was decided to inform the C o m p a n y that if they would be good enough to extend to the Branch an invitation to visit the factory some time in the summer of next.year, it would receive careful consideration. A valuable paper on Post Scarlatinal Meningitis was read to the Branch by Dr. J. Graham Forbes. Following a discussion, in which the President and several members participated, a hearty vote ot thanks was proposed by Dr. J. D. Rolleston, seconded by Dr. Clark Trotter and carried. In accordance with a general expression of opinion, it was decided that the paper should be sent to the Editor of PVSLIC HEALTH for publication. THE MIDLAND BRANCH. President : Dr. G. B. Dixon, Chief T.O. and Medical Superintendent, Birmingham. Hon. Secretary : Dr. R. H. H. Jolly, M.O.H., Wolverhampton.
The Second Meeting of the Session was held at the Medical Institute, Great Charles Street, Birmingham, on November 4th, 1926. The President and 1~ members were present. Apologies for absence were received from Drs. Miller, Blumer, Bertram Smith, Hamilton W o o d , and Auden. In the absence of the Treasurer (Dr. T. Ridley Bailey), Dr. Jolly presented the Annual Report and Balance Sheet for the year. This was received and adopted. The President then called upon Dr. Killick Millard to open a discussion on the H u m a n e Slaughtering of Animals for Food. After referring briefly to the position in Leicester, the speaker reviewed the arguments for and against the u s e of the humane killer in abattoirs. A vigorous debate ensued in which the majority of the members took part. There was substantial agreement on the need for the abolition of all private slaughterhouses in favour of well organised and equipped public abattoirs. The use of the humane killer for larger animals was generally approved, but there was some difference of opinion as to the advisability of employing it for pigs and sheep.
THE
WEST
OF ENGLAND
BRANCH.
President : Dr. C. E. Tangye, County M.O.H., Wiltshlre.
Hon Secretary: Dr. P. H. Stirk, M.O.H., Exeter.
A meeting of this Branch was held at Trowbridge, on October 22nd, 1926, twelve members and two visitors being present. Apologies for non-attendance were received from Dr. Nankivell, Dr. N o y Scott, and Dr, Swan.
In the absence of the President, Dr. Crossley was elected to the Chair. Before the meeting, members were welcomed by the Chairman of the District Council, who regretted that time did not permit the members viewing some of the Public Health activities and works at Trowbridge, and expressed the hope that on another occasion the Branch would pay a further visit, to which the chairman in grateful terms replied, thanking the District Council for the use of the Board R o o m for the meeting. The Minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Dr. C. E. Tangye, Medical Officer of Health, Wiltshire County Council, was then installed as President for the Session 1926-27, and delivered his Presidential Address on " Certain Aspects of the Milk Question, particularly the work under the Milk and Dairies (Consolidation) Act, 1915." A discussion followed, and questions were asked, in which Dr. Agate, Dr. Blackett, Dr. Dunstan Brewer, Dr. Wilson, and others took part. As members were invited to view Major Fuller's model dairy farm for the production of " Certified " milk, the discussion, which largely centred round the relative values of the bacteriological examination of milk, and the biological test, had to be curtailed. Correspondence was read from the Executive Secretary asking if the Branch would present a chair or chairs for the refurnishing of the Society's room, in which Council Meetings are held, and, after discussion, it was decided that one Chair should be presented for the one Representative of the Branch on the Council. It was reported by the Hon. Secretary that Col. Herbert Jones was, at the recent meeting of the Society, unanimously elected an Honorary Fellow of the Society as a slight recognition of the valuable work he had done f o r the Society, and for Medical Officers of Health generally.
1926,
PUBLIC HEALTH.
A congratulatory vote was passed, and the Secretary was instructed to convey this to Col. Herbert Jones, with an expression of the pleasure the Branch felt at this almost unique honour which had been conferred upon him. The members then proceeded b y char-abanc to Major Fuller's model dairy farm, where the process of milking and handling milk was demonstrated, and afterwards Major and Mrs. Fuller kindly conducted the members over their beautiful old fifteenth century house. The party then returned to the Town Hall, Trowbridge, for tea, which terminated a most useful and enjoyable meeting. The date of a future meeting was left to the President and H o n . Secretary. THE
NORTH-¥VESTERN
BRANCH.
President: Dr. C. W. Paget Moffatt, M.O.H., Bolton. Hon. Secretary: Dr. G. W. N. Joseph, M.O.H., Warrington.
A meeting of this Branch was held at the Public Health Laboratory, Manchester, on November 12th, 1926, the President in the Chair. Twenty-one members were present. The Minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Dr. McClure opened a discussion on " Suggestions for the revision of the list of notifiable diseases." H e first mentioned the list of diseases, and pointed out how the original schedule had been added to from time to time. The cost of notification to Local Authorities in England and \Vales was now about ~40,000 p e r annum, and in Manchester it averaged about ~3,000 each year. The objects of notification were to find the source of disease to prevent its spread, to remove unfavourable conditions, to insure that facilities for treatment were adequate, and to accumulate knowledge as to its aetiology, etc. He thought that such vague terms as Enteric Fever, Continued and Relapsing Fever, might well be removed from the list ; that there was no use in retaining Puerperal Fever now that Puerperal Pyrexia was notifiabIe and that Erysipelas did not warrant inclusion. On the other hand, T y p h o i d Fever, Paratyphoid, and Food Poisoning should be added. H e also dealt with the question of the notification of Measles, W'hooping Cough, Meningitis, Rheumatic Fever, Cancer, and Chicken-pox. A useful discussion ensued, in which Drs. Paget Moffatt, Talent, Walker, Scholefield,
91
Whitehead, Wilkinson, W o o d , Beggs, Gibson and Barlow took part. It seemed to be generally agreed that the notification of Measles was only useful when adequate facilities for treatment were in existence, and some thought that once such facilities had been provided the public would use them whether there was notification or not. Notification of Chicken-pox was of great service if an outbreak of Smallpox was in existence, but genera ! notification of the disease was not necessary and, in fact, was liable to defeat the main object. T h e majority of members present were not in favour of notification of Venereal Diseases. THE
SOUTHERN
BRANCH.
President ." Dr. A. D. Edwards, M.O.H., Bournemouth. Hon. Secretary: Dr. H. D. Kelf, Asst. M.O.H., H a n t s County Council.
A meeting of this Branch was held at East Park Terrace, Southampton, on November 5th, 1926. There were present: The Presi. dent, Drs. Neil Beattie, A Cockayne, A. Druitt, W . J. Hart, B. L. Lloyd, R . A. Lyster, P. Moxey, W . Simpson, T. S. Stirling, M. R . E. Hodgson, and the H o u . Secretary. After the minutes had been read and confirmed, apologies for absence were announced from Dr. Lockhart Stephens, Dr. Livingstone, Surg.-Capt. Alderson, and Mr. A. W a r d . A letter of thanks, in reply to a congratulatory message sent at the previous meeting, was received from Surgeon Rear-Admiral R . J. Mackeown. Interesting clinical cases were shown by Dr. Moxey and Dr. W . J. Hart, and a general discussion followed. Dr. Nell R. Beattie read a paper on " Public Health P r o p a g a n d a , " dealing with all branches of Public Health activities, showing the present limitations, and advocating extensive propaganda in every section, particularly in H y g i e n e and Health subjects among Boy Scouts, the Church, and other organisations. Dr. R . A. Lyster contributed very informative additions to the subject, especially with regard to Broadcasting, Tuberculosis Dispensary work, and popular lectures. The President and Dr. Druitt also spoke, cordially thanking Dr. Beattie for his very thoughtful paper.
DECEMBER,
PUBLIC HEALTH.
Dr. Howell and Dr. C. S. Thomson are prepared to give evidence, if requested, showing the need of registration. A letter was read to the Branch in which it was stated that the NestI6 and Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company will be pleased to arrange for a visit to be paid by the Branch members to their Chippenham factory. It was decided to inform the C o m p a n y that if they would be good enough to extend to the Branch an invitation to visit the factory some time in the summer of next.year, it would receive careful consideration. A valuable paper on Post Scarlatinal Meningitis was read to the Branch by Dr. J. Graham Forbes. Following a discussion, in which the President and several members participated, a hearty vote ot thanks was proposed by Dr. J. D. Rolleston, seconded by Dr. Clark Trotter and carried. In accordance with a general expression of opinion, it was decided that the paper should be sent to the Editor of PVSLIC HEALTH for publication. THE MIDLAND BRANCH. President : Dr. G. B. Dixon, Chief T.O. and Medical Superintendent, Birmingham. Hon. Secretary : Dr. R. H. H. Jolly, M.O.H., Wolverhampton.
The Second Meeting of the Session was held at the Medical Institute, Great Charles Street, Birmingham, on November 4th, 1926. The President and 1~ members were present. Apologies for absence were received from Drs. Miller, Blumer, Bertram Smith, Hamilton W o o d , and Auden. In the absence of the Treasurer (Dr. T. Ridley Bailey), Dr. Jolly presented the Annual Report and Balance Sheet for the year. This was received and adopted. The President then called upon Dr. Killick Millard to open a discussion on the H u m a n e Slaughtering of Animals for Food. After referring briefly to the position in Leicester, the speaker reviewed the arguments for and against the u s e of the humane killer in abattoirs. A vigorous debate ensued in which the majority of the members took part. There was substantial agreement on the need for the abolition of all private slaughterhouses in favour of well organised and equipped public abattoirs. The use of the humane killer for larger animals was generally approved, but there was some difference of opinion as to the advisability of employing it for pigs and sheep.
THE
WEST
OF ENGLAND
BRANCH.
President : Dr. C. E. Tangye, County M.O.H., Wiltshlre.
Hon Secretary: Dr. P. H. Stirk, M.O.H., Exeter.
A meeting of this Branch was held at Trowbridge, on October 22nd, 1926, twelve members and two visitors being present. Apologies for non-attendance were received from Dr. Nankivell, Dr. N o y Scott, and Dr, Swan.
In the absence of the President, Dr. Crossley was elected to the Chair. Before the meeting, members were welcomed by the Chairman of the District Council, who regretted that time did not permit the members viewing some of the Public Health activities and works at Trowbridge, and expressed the hope that on another occasion the Branch would pay a further visit, to which the chairman in grateful terms replied, thanking the District Council for the use of the Board R o o m for the meeting. The Minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Dr. C. E. Tangye, Medical Officer of Health, Wiltshire County Council, was then installed as President for the Session 1926-27, and delivered his Presidential Address on " Certain Aspects of the Milk Question, particularly the work under the Milk and Dairies (Consolidation) Act, 1915." A discussion followed, and questions were asked, in which Dr. Agate, Dr. Blackett, Dr. Dunstan Brewer, Dr. Wilson, and others took part. As members were invited to view Major Fuller's model dairy farm for the production of " Certified " milk, the discussion, which largely centred round the relative values of the bacteriological examination of milk, and the biological test, had to be curtailed. Correspondence was read from the Executive Secretary asking if the Branch would present a chair or chairs for the refurnishing of the Society's room, in which Council Meetings are held, and, after discussion, it was decided that one Chair should be presented for the one Representative of the Branch on the Council. It was reported by the Hon. Secretary that Col. Herbert Jones was, at the recent meeting of the Society, unanimously elected an Honorary Fellow of the Society as a slight recognition of the valuable work he had done f o r the Society, and for Medical Officers of Health generally.
1926,
PUBLIC HEALTH.
A congratulatory vote was passed, and the Secretary was instructed to convey this to Col. Herbert Jones, with an expression of the pleasure the Branch felt at this almost unique honour which had been conferred upon him. The members then proceeded b y char-abanc to Major Fuller's model dairy farm, where the process of milking and handling milk was demonstrated, and afterwards Major and Mrs. Fuller kindly conducted the members over their beautiful old fifteenth century house. The party then returned to the Town Hall, Trowbridge, for tea, which terminated a most useful and enjoyable meeting. The date of a future meeting was left to the President and H o n . Secretary. THE
NORTH-¥VESTERN
BRANCH.
President: Dr. C. W. Paget Moffatt, M.O.H., Bolton. Hon. Secretary: Dr. G. W. N. Joseph, M.O.H., Warrington.
A meeting of this Branch was held at the Public Health Laboratory, Manchester, on November 12th, 1926, the President in the Chair. Twenty-one members were present. The Minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Dr. McClure opened a discussion on " Suggestions for the revision of the list of notifiable diseases." H e first mentioned the list of diseases, and pointed out how the original schedule had been added to from time to time. The cost of notification to Local Authorities in England and \Vales was now about ~40,000 p e r annum, and in Manchester it averaged about ~3,000 each year. The objects of notification were to find the source of disease to prevent its spread, to remove unfavourable conditions, to insure that facilities for treatment were adequate, and to accumulate knowledge as to its aetiology, etc. He thought that such vague terms as Enteric Fever, Continued and Relapsing Fever, might well be removed from the list ; that there was no use in retaining Puerperal Fever now that Puerperal Pyrexia was notifiabIe and that Erysipelas did not warrant inclusion. On the other hand, T y p h o i d Fever, Paratyphoid, and Food Poisoning should be added. H e also dealt with the question of the notification of Measles, W'hooping Cough, Meningitis, Rheumatic Fever, Cancer, and Chicken-pox. A useful discussion ensued, in which Drs. Paget Moffatt, Talent, Walker, Scholefield,
91
Whitehead, Wilkinson, W o o d , Beggs, Gibson and Barlow took part. It seemed to be generally agreed that the notification of Measles was only useful when adequate facilities for treatment were in existence, and some thought that once such facilities had been provided the public would use them whether there was notification or not. Notification of Chicken-pox was of great service if an outbreak of Smallpox was in existence, but genera ! notification of the disease was not necessary and, in fact, was liable to defeat the main object. T h e majority of members present were not in favour of notification of Venereal Diseases. THE
SOUTHERN
BRANCH.
President ." Dr. A. D. Edwards, M.O.H., Bournemouth. Hon. Secretary: Dr. H. D. Kelf, Asst. M.O.H., H a n t s County Council.
A meeting of this Branch was held at East Park Terrace, Southampton, on November 5th, 1926. There were present: The Presi. dent, Drs. Neil Beattie, A Cockayne, A. Druitt, W . J. Hart, B. L. Lloyd, R . A. Lyster, P. Moxey, W . Simpson, T. S. Stirling, M. R . E. Hodgson, and the H o u . Secretary. After the minutes had been read and confirmed, apologies for absence were announced from Dr. Lockhart Stephens, Dr. Livingstone, Surg.-Capt. Alderson, and Mr. A. W a r d . A letter of thanks, in reply to a congratulatory message sent at the previous meeting, was received from Surgeon Rear-Admiral R . J. Mackeown. Interesting clinical cases were shown by Dr. Moxey and Dr. W . J. Hart, and a general discussion followed. Dr. Nell R. Beattie read a paper on " Public Health P r o p a g a n d a , " dealing with all branches of Public Health activities, showing the present limitations, and advocating extensive propaganda in every section, particularly in H y g i e n e and Health subjects among Boy Scouts, the Church, and other organisations. Dr. R . A. Lyster contributed very informative additions to the subject, especially with regard to Broadcasting, Tuberculosis Dispensary work, and popular lectures. The President and Dr. Druitt also spoke, cordially thanking Dr. Beattie for his very thoughtful paper.