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made safer, it has, I fear, to be admitted that there is an increase
in the number of persons who feel the "strain of modern life
who suffer from what is vaguely called" nerves who are, in
the language of modern medical psychology, suffering from
neuroses or psycho-neuroses, and who are liable in circumstances
of special strain to have a complete "nervous breakdown." It
has also to be admitted that the opportunities for obtaining treatment
(psycho-therapy) are woefully inadequate; whilst the vast
field of effort which lies before preventive medicine in this direction
has scarcely been entered on. The time has come when the
duty of the Maternity and Child Welfare and School Medical
services will be not only to advise mothers on how to feed their
infants and protect their children from physical diseases, but also
to help parents to guide their children through infancy, childhood
and early adolescence without sowing in them the seeds of
neurosis.
The year has been an exceptionally busy one in every department
of the work and I desire to express my thanks to the officers
of the department for the excellent way in which they have
carried out their duties. Each year new health legislation brings
added duties to the sanitary inspectors, health visitors, midwives
and to the clerical staff. We desire to thank the Voluntary
Workers at the Centres for the untiring zeal with which they give
their services, and the members of the Council for their continued
interest in the Health Services of the Borough.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
R. P. GARROW,
Medical Officer of Health.