PLUNKET SOCIETY

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26199, 24 August 1950, Page 2

PLUNKET SOCIETY

CHRISTCHURCH BRANCH ELECTS OFFICERS

“We talk rather glibly to-day about the need to foster the all-round health of the child," said Dr. M. Gemmell, of Dunedin, assistant medical adviser to the Plunket Society, who was the speaker yesterday at the annual meeting of the society’s Christchurch branch.

Dr. Gemmell traced the interest in child welfare from the middle of the eightenth century in England to the present day. In 1740, the Foundlings’ Hospital was established in London. Of the babies admitted to it, in its early days, 75 per cent, died, said Dr. Gemmell. “Housing conditions were dreadful,’’ she continued. “It was not uncommon to have babies left in the streets to die."

Some years later, dispensaries were opened for the treatment of minor ailments. In 1816, home visiting in connexion with dispensary work was advocated by Dr. John Davis, but the suggestion was not adopted. Sick children’s hospitals were started about the middle of last century in a very small way, Dr. Gemmell said. “To-day most of them have their own convalescent homes in the country." Orthopaedic and many other special hospitals for children were located in the country or at the seaside, so that as much fresh air as possible was available. Specially trained teachers gave the children regular instruction. “The whole trend of modern thought is directed not only to the treatment of disease; but to its prevention," Dr. Gemmell said. “Conditions in Britain during the war made us realise the need to protect our children. Now 89 per cent, of children attending elementary schools receive free milk, and 30 per cent, have school meals.”

Since she came to New Zealand, a little more than a year ago, Dr. Gemmell said she had been struck with the fact that the Plunket Society in the Dominion was part of the social set-up, and part of the way of life. “See that the spirit which started this society continues to permeate its work,” she added.

The Mayoress (Mrs F. Hardy Cookson) presided at the meeting. Mrs P. G. Greenwood was re-elected president unopposed. Other officers were elected as follows: vice-presi-dents, Mesdames Cecil Wood, A. Rose, A. H. Hammett, J. Ferrier, H. S. Kyle, E. P. Mowatt; active members of committee, Mesdames M. Adair, S. W. Binns, G. R. P. Beadel. J. E. K. Brown. A. Bunz, S. G Bowton, G Basan, E Butler, L E. Clark. E J. Cordner, E. A. Coombes, T. Darby, V Godfrey, M. H. Hammett. M. K. Gray, P. G. Greenwood, E. Fairclough, H. Turner Jennings, A. E. Kincaid, A. Miles. E. Myers, J. W. Niven, J. L. Kerr, R. H. Nottingham, A. Rose,, I. Raffell. W. G. Seannell. D. Steven, H. R. Smith. Algar Williams, Cecil Wood. R. G. Wolff. W. Pryce, M. W. Simes, S. A. Readman. McLaughlan. R. L. Jacobsen; honorary committee Mesdames M. H. Godby. F. H. Pyne, P. H. Wood. A. C. McKillop. Medical staff: Drs. J. L. Landreth. H. Turner Jennings. Francis Bennett; honorary consulting staff. Sir Hugh Acland, Dr. W. T. Glasgow. Mr Walton Bremner; advisory committee. Messrs M. H. Godby. A. E. Kincrid. and Stewart Mair; honorary auditor, Mr W. S. Mac Gibbon: honorary architect, Mr G. T. Lucas.