View report page

13
the district. This change would carry out the wishes of the Government as
expressed in the circular of the Local Government Board conveying the Sanitary
Officers' Order of December, 1910. This was not considered at that meeting,
but my oldest male inspector (Mr. R.J. Butland) was asked to state his views
on the report of his superior officer ! The two documents were submitted on
January 7th, 1920, to the Public Health Committee, who recommended that
they be considered by the Council (in Committee). On January 27th, 1920,
the Council decided to leave to the Chairman the fixing of such a special meeting
in Committee on the first convenient date. However, owing to my illness
compelling me to go on sick leave on February 10th, 1920, the further consideration
was postponed at a special Council Meeting on February 9th,
until my return." I returned on April 29th, but on December 3rd. 1920,
the matter had not been settled !
This special report is available at the end of the report of the M.O.H.
PUBLIC HEALTH CONFERENCE.—A conference organised by the
Royal Institute of Public Health, was held at the Guildhall, London, E.C.,
on the 26th, 27th and 28th June. Councillor Barrass and the Medical Officer
of Health attended to represent Edmonton. On July 28th the delegates
presented their report to the Council. The subjects discussed were:—
1.—The work of the Ministry of Health.
2.—Venereal Disease: its prevention and arrest.
3.—Housing in relation to health.
4.—Maternity and child welfare.
5.—Tuberculosis after the war.
The debates were instructive and interesting, and the views of the (majority
of the) delegates were expressed in these resolutions, amongst others:—
I. Ministry of Health.
1.—That in the view of this meeting, Sanitary Inspectors, Health
Visitors, and similar classes of Public Health Officials, should be adequately
trained, and that the present system of examinations should be coordinated
so as to secure one qualifying examination for the whole country.
2.—That this Conference views with satisfaction the contemplated
creation of Advisory Councils in connection with the work of the Ministry
of Health, and urges that the services of those who have had long, wide
and practical experience in administrative and executive Public Health
work should be secured upon these Councils.
3.—That in view of the large national demands which will be made
on the Ministry of Health as an organizing and controlling centre, it is
desirable that it should not be burdened with functions of details which