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

10 The Health Bulletin June, 1951care for Public Health Nurses and hospitalnurses. Thus, we have a trainingcenter within the State and do nothave to send our trainees out of theState, as has been done previously. Allof the counties in the State with theexception of 8 are equipped with prematureinfant carriers to transportthese premature infants to the localhospitals or our centers. Since the startof the Program in 1948 we have financiallyaided 1300 prematurely born babies.We have seen a drop in the prematuremortality and on increased interestin the premature problems amongnurses and physicians, particularly pediatriciansand obstetricians.CRIPPLED CHILDREN'S SECTION—Ruth Council, R. N., ChiefDuring the summer of 1950, a campfor crippled children was an addedactivity to the program. The camp waslocated on the Pamlico River nearWashington, N. C. and was operatedfor three weeks. The children were selectedin the clinics by the orthopedistson the basis of those who would benefitmost from the physical and social aspect.All of these were from the countieseast of Raleigh. The counselors•were selected through the State HomeDemonstration Agent. Nurses fromcounty health departments staggeredtheir services and other workers weresecured from nearby vicinities. Nutritionistsfrom the State Board of Healthwere also present for supervision ofplanning of meals and kitchen activities.There were forty-two children whoattended this camp during the summer.Funds were raised through local resources,in the counties from whichthe children came.One of the nurses from this sectionwas invited to attend the White HouseConference which was held in Washington,December 3rd through December7th. This conference, known as theMid-Century White House Conferencewas based on personality developmentof children and youth through health,religion, recreation, and social service.There were approximately 4,000 delegateswho attended.Since the conference, the nurse hasgiven a number of reports throughoutthe state in the interest of the followupprogram which includes the recommendationsmade the last day, December7th.During the year there were 307 clinicsheld throughout the state. Each ofthese clinics is within a distance of approximatelyfifty to sixty miles of everychild. There were 5,501 new cases admittedto these clinics and 5,724 oldcases re-examined during the clinicsessions. There were 720 admitted togeneral hospitals, 115 extensions authorizedand 201 appliances purchased.As of January 1950 there were 20,831on the state register. During the firstthree months of the year the fundswere depleted to such an extent thatthe department was unable to take careof any cases except emergencies. However,it is definitely felt that none ofthe cases recommended for surgerywere neglected because each child wasreferred to another agency when necessary.On December 18th, we lost our Director,Dr. G. M. Cooper. He had startedthe North Carolina Crippled Children'sProgram in 1936, following theSocial Security Act of 1935.NUTRITION SECTION—BertlynBosley,Ph.D., ChiefThe work of the Nutrition Section,one of the more recent activities of theState Board of Health, is increasing inimportance with each passing monthas more knowledge is secured about thepart food plays in some of the majorhealth problems. Insistence upon properuse of foods to maintain goodhealth has heretofore been urged forthe younger generation. It is now recognizedthat it is of major importancefor the aged and particularly for thosewith chronic diseasesThe Nutrition Section is staffed bywell-trained nutritionists and dietitianswho work with all official and somenon-ofRcial agencies in the state. Alarger number of these well-qualifiedworkers is needed. It is hoped that the