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69
observations of Dr. Gunzburg, a Director of Psychological Services
in the Birminham area on this particular aspect. He has indicated
that, no matter which department is responsible, the needs of the
subnormal remain the same and that the nadir of any programme
for the rehabilitation of the subnormal must be social rather than
academic education. He stressed the importance of developing
social competence in order to achieve the necessary degree of conformity
which society requires in order to accept the subnormal.
His observations were based on the practical application of planned
progressive research and experimentation.
Hostels for the mentally subnormal are proving a satisfactory
base from which residents can have normal employment or can
attend training centres. Furthermore, once established, there
appeared to be no public opposition to hostels and relationships
with the neighbourhood were friendly.
Apparently hospitalisation is a contra-indication for eventual
hostel life and the greatest successes result from residents taken
directly from the community.
In this Borough, all our endeavours are directed towards dealing
with mental handicap within the community and home environment.
These include the provision of Junior and Industrial Training
Centres, Day Centres, a Day Hospital, various Clubs and a
recently established Hostel, all of which are under constant surveillance
with a view to introducing improvements to meet changing
circumstances. A dedicated field and administrative organisation
provides an effective support.
Obesity
Recognition of the fact that obesity underlies much of the
country's ill-health is becoming universal. Although perhaps by
definition overweight is not a disease, nevertheless, its danger as a
"trigger" mechanism to many serious medical conditions continues
to be under-rated.
It is true that since the dawn of history man has been confronted
with obesity and its complications but, over the years, its
connotations have changed. Up to modern times plump people
were usually regarded as the symbols of prosperity, abundance
and the good things of life. Indeed, the corpulent state was the
hallmark of success, good health, good nature, strength and influence.
We now know better and, during the past few years, there
has been a dramatic revision in the attitude towards fat people.
Reubens' ideal of feminine pulchritude, euphemistically called
"embonpoint" is no longer acceptable in the 20th Century not only
in "fashion" circles but in the medical world generally.