The Health bulletin [serial] - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

8 The Health Bulletin June, 1951PERSONAL HEALTH DIVISION — A.H. Elliot, M. D., Director.Before attempting a report on theactivities of the Division of PersonalHealth, it should be stated that theDivision suffered an irreparable loss inthe death of its Director, Dr. G. M.Cooper. Dr. Cooper had developed allof the different branches of the Divisionfrom their very beginning to theirpresent position of rendering an unlimitedand invaluable service to thewhole State of North Carolina andmost especially to mothers, infants andchildren. May we hope that his influencefor the truth and for better healthwill live on in the efforts of the presentand future employees of this Division.Sections of the Division of PersonalHealthMaternal and Child Health(Including Premature Program)Crippled Children's ProgramNutritionCancer ControlHeart DiseaseMaternal and Child Health: During thepast year, 6102 prenatal and well babyclinics were held with the followingattendance records:Maternity 29,644Well baby and preschool 48,812Booklets, leaflets, etc., on prenatalcare and care of infants and childrenwere distributed to the following extent:Maternity 44,848Child Health 93,2471950 was the second whole year ofoperation of the premature program.Two new centers were opened (Rexand James Walker Memorial) makinga total of six centers. There are alsofour secondary centers (our help: specialtraining for nurse—2 incubators).Special refresher courses for publichealth and hospital nurses are availableat Duke. All except eight county healthdepartments have been supplied withtransportation incubators for gettingprematures to the centers or to somehospital. 629 premature infants receivedcare under this program last year.Crippled Children: During the yearthere were 307 clinics held serving 5,501new and 5,724 old cases. Seven hundredand twenty were admitted to hospitalsand 201 appliances were paid for. 1950opened with 20,831 on the register(many polio cases). This load so nearlyexhausted the appropriated funds thatmany non-emergency cases had to bepostponed and the hospital stay ofacute cases had to be shortened.Two special features of the year were(1) the operation of a three-weekssummer camp for crippled children onthe Pamlico River. Forty-two childrenattended. This camp was without costto the Crippled Children's Program orto the children. It was supported bycommunity contributions. (2) One ofthe department's nurses was invited toattend the White House Conference inWashington, December 3-7. This conferencewas concerned with child developmentin the fields of health, religion,recreation and social service.Since then this nurse has had conferencesthroughout the State on the subjectmatter of the Washington Conference.Nutrition: The director and ten veryspecially trained nutritionists and dietitianscover most of the State throughhealth departments, hospitals, institutions,clinics, communities and schools.The importance of nutrition in all agesand under all conditions is being taught.Special service is given State institutionsin kitchen arrangement, foodpurchase and preparation, food habits,etc.Teaching nutrition to public healthnurses—school teachers receive specialattention. Diet habits of school childrenare surveyed and in many schools animalfeeding demonstrations are conducted.Special diets for low incomegroups are stressed.Most of the time of the two dietitiansis spent in the various State institutions,by invitation, advising andconsulting with the persons in chargeof feeding the inmates. Special attentionis given to construction, arrangementand equipment in new and reconditionedkitchens. Planning of meals,selection and purchase of food mate-