News and Notes
Board of Control Appointments
Pursuant to the provisions of Section n of the Mental Treatment Act, 1930, the Board with the approval of the Minister of Health, have appointed the following to be Commissioners:?
Mr. A. E. Evans, M.B., D.P.H., Mr. S. E. Gill, M.D., D.P.H., Mr. E. O. Lewis, D.Sc., L.R.C.P., Mr. J. W. W. Adamson, M.D., Surgeon Rear Admiral J. F. Hall, C.M.G., K.B.S., R.N. (retired), Surgeon Rear Admiral E. T. Meagher, R.N. (retired), at present Medical Inspectors: and Mr. C. F. Penton, Barrister-at-Law, Miss I. M. C. Duncan, B.A., LL.B., Barrister-at-Law, Surgeon Capt. H. C. Devas, R.N. (retired). Miss I. G. H. Wilson, M.D., D.P.M., and Miss R. Darwin (part-time).
Mental Treatment Rules
The Rules under the Mental Treatment Act, 1930 (Statutory Rules and Order, 1930, No. 1083), made by the Board of Control with the approval of the Lord Chancellor, were formally approved in the House of Commons on March 16th, 1931. Copies of the Rules may be obtained from H.M. Stationery Office, price 6d.
Collection of Records on Amentia
Since his retirement from the position of Senior Medical Officer of the Fountain Mental Children’s Hospital, Tooting, Dr T. Brushfield has been occupied in compiling a valuable collection of records and publications on Amentia. He has presented this collection to the Library of the College of Surgeons, Lincoln’s Inn, so that it may be accessible to medical practitioners, students, research workers and others interested.
The records comprise detailed histories of over 3,000 children who were resident at The Fountain from 1914-1927, together with photographs taken on admission and after treatment. The case histories arc classified according to types of amentia and elaborate details are given, not only of each child’s physical condition and family history but of the mental tests employed and of progress in school when the child was of sufficiently high-grade to attend. This collection is of particular interest as it dates back to a period when little was published on the subject and interest in it was only just being awakened. The collection also includes a large number of papers and cuttings cover- ing not only amentia but anything which might have a bearing on it. In glancing through the headings on the Index, such titles as Heredity, Ante-natal, Newborn, Infant Feeding, Endocrines, Encephalitis, etc., go to show that the collection is in reality one on The Child and any point or factor which might lead to Amentia.
A Bibliography of books and articles not contained in the collection is also included. Dr Brushfield hopes to keep this up-to-date and also to incorporate whatever publications he is able to obtain, so that there may be a compre- hensive and centralised collection of papers and information on this important subject. Future additions to the collection will be welcomed and should be sent to The Library, College of Surgeons, Lincoln’s Inn, London, W.C.i. We hope that the interest shown in these records and the use made of them will repay Dr Brushfield for the work entailed in their preparation. Those who are not of the medical profession should apply to the C.A.M.W. Office, 24, Buckingham Palace Road, S.W.i, for a card of intro- duction which will give them access to the Library.
Edinburgh University Psychological Clinic
The new premises of the Edinburgh University Psychological Clinic for Children and Juveniles were formally opened on February 18th, 1931, by the Marchioness of Linlithgow. The new Clinic is housed at 37, Morningside Park, Edinburgh, and will be open every afternoon from 2.0 to 4.0 and on Saturdays from 10.0 to 2.0.
Dr James Drever, in an address given at the opening ceremony, said that it was hoped that a large number of children and young people presenting behaviour problems would benefit from the skilled treatment which would be available at the Clinic. There would be close co-operation with all depart- ments and organisations dealing with child life in the city, with the Sick Child- ren’s Hospital and with the School of Social Study. It was hoped also that the Clinic would serve a useful purpose in connection with medical education.
Training for Occupational Therapy
We have received particulars of an interesting experiment to provide training in the theory and practice of occupational therapy. Dr Elizabeth Casson, of Dorset House, Clifton Down, Bristol, will rcccive a few students who will work in her house under the direction of a fully trained Occupational Therapist. The studies will include lectures in anatomy, physiology and psychology, and the application of occupational treat- ment to various diseases and conditions. Thorough training will be given in design, wood and metal work, needlework, weaving, and other crafts. It is proposed to arrange expeditions to local mental hospitals and other institutions, and practical work with patients will be arranged for 2 or 3 hours daily. Full particulars may be obtained from Dr Casson at the address given above.
Margaret Macdowall Memorial Scholarship
As a memorial to the late Margaret Macdowall, one of the pioneers of education for mentally defective children in this country, a fund has been raised to establish some permanent remembrance of her work.
As the result of an appeal a considerable amount of money was raised. Part of this was devoted to the bringing out of a new edition of Miss Mac- dowall’s book, ” Simple Beginnings in the Training of Mentally Defective Children,” which was referred to in a previous issue of this journal. With the balance in hand a small bursary, amounting to, it is hoped, from /20 to ^25 per year, is to be founded to enable educated girls to obtain some training in the care of mentally defective children, with a view to private teaching of defectives as a career. At the invitation of the Memorial Fund Committee, the Council of the C.A.M.W. have agreed to act as Trustees of the Fund, to ad- minister the income and to award the scholarship. A small Committee, which includes some members of the Memorial Fund Committee has been formed for the purpose. Further particulars may be obtained from Miss Fox, at the offices of the Association.
Forthcoming Conferences
National Council for Mental Hygiene The Second Biennial Conference on Mental Health organised by the National Council for Mental Hygiene will be held at the Central Hall (Lecture Hall), Westminster, from May 27th-29th, 1931. Sessions of the Conference will be devoted to discussion on The Human Factor, in International Problems, in Crime, in Industry, in the Social Services and in Education.
Amongst those speaking at the Conference are Sir Hubert Bond, Dr C. J. Bond, Lt.-Col. Lord, Mrs. Neville Rolfe, Dr W. A. Potts, Dr F. C. Shrubsall. An inclusive ticket (admitting to all sessions) may be obtained, price 7/6, from The Secretary, National Council for Mental Hygiene, 78, Chandos House, Palmer Street, S.W.i.
New Education Fellowship
A British Commonwealth Education Conference organised by the New Education Fellowship will be held from July 24th to 30th at Bedford College, Regents Park, London. The General Theme of the Conference is to be ” Edu- cation in a Changing Empire.” Sir Percy Nunn is to act as President and amongst the principal lecturers are Sir Michael Sadler, Dr Robert Wallace (University of Alberta), The Rt. Hon. W. G. Ormsby Gore, and Dr E. G. Malherbe (Pretoria).
The purpose of the Conference is to bring together teachers and others from the British Commonwealth who are interested in modern education, particularly those who wish to study the adjustments in education that are being made to meet the new problems arising from the changes in our social and economic life.
Full particulars may be obtained from the Organising Secretary, New Education Fellowship, n, Tavistock Square, W.C.i.
Opportunity for Holiday-Training
We have been asked to bring to the notice of readers an opportunity of combining a quiet country holiday in Leicestershire with some training in crafts suitable for members of the staffs of Certified Institutions and Mental Hospitals.
One or two nurses (women) could be received in the house of a worker with long experience and nurses who wished to gain some additional training in this branch, but could not get leave to attend a long course, could combine it with their ordinary holiday. Arrangements would be made to meet individual requirements.
The suggested terms are:-?For Board and Lodging ?1 15s. od. weekly. (?1 tos. od. if a room is shared.) For Tuition, il/2 guineas for 1 week 2 ? ? 2 weeks 3 ? 3 weeks For further particulars apply to Miss E. J. Price, The Laurels, Glen Road, Oadby, Leicester.
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