A Chronology of State Medicine, Public Health, Welfare and Related ...

1934 Cont - 1936
1934 cont The Report of the Departmental Committee on Qualifications for Recruitment and
Promotion of Local Government Officers (chairman, Sir Henry Hadow, see 1926) suggested
that the clerk should be the chief administrative officer, coordinate the work of departments
and exercise general supervision over all of the council's work without interfering with the
heads of departments in strictly specialist and technical matters. See 1967 and 1972.
The first academic department of occupational health created in Birmingham
University.
1935 Housing Act (25&26 Geo.V, c.40) defined "overcrowding" and made it an offence; and
placed an obligation on local authorities to rehouse persons from clearance areas and unfit
houses scheduled for demolition. Similar provisions made for Scotland (c.41). See 1936.
Restriction of Ribbon Development Act (25&26 Geo.V, c.47) restricted development
along the frontages of major roads. See 1940.
Report of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Department of Health for Scotland
on Maternal Morbidity and Mortality, by Charlotte Douglas and PL McKinley, advocated the
establishment of a comprehensive maternity service in Scotland. See 1937.
The British Postgraduate Medical School opened at Hammersmith Hospital, London.
The Peckham Health Centre was opened, co-directed by GS Williamson (1883-1953)
and IH Pearse (1889-1978) to promote and study health. The work of the Centre was
interrupted by the Second World War. The Centre closed in 1951.
G Domagk (1895-1964, German biochemist) introduced prontosil which in 1936 was
used in the treatment of puerperal fever; led to the development of the sulphonamides.
The British Medical Association's Committee on Fractures reported that the duration of
temporary incapacity following a fracture was more than three times as great on average
among patients not treated in special clinics compared to those treated in such clinics; and
permanent incapacity occurred in 37 per cent of patients not treated in special clinics and
only in 1 per cent of those treated in the special clinics. See 1939.
Sir Arthur MacNalty (1880-1969) succeeded Sir George Newman (1907) as chief
medical officer at the Ministry of Health.
The Association of Industrial Medical Officers (later the Society of Occupational
Medicine) founded with NH Mummery as its first president. See 1956 and 1967.
1936 Public Health Act (26 Geo.V & 1 Edw.VIII, c.49) consolidated the law relating to
sanitation; drainage; nuisances; offensive trades; common lodging houses; water supplies;
control of infectious diseases including tuberculosis; maternity and child welfare; child
protection; registration of nursing homes (see 1938); and the provision of hospitals. See 1946
and 1961.
Public Health (London) Act ( 26 Geo.V & 1 Edw.VIII, c.50) consolidated the law
relating to public health in the metropolis.
Housing Act ( 26 Geo.V & 1 Edw.VIII, c.51) consolidated the law relating to housing
and slum clearance; obliged housing authorities to inspect their districts and to order unfit
houses to be repaired, closed or demolished; and provided powers for the authorities to
declare clearance areas and redevelopment areas and to compulsorily purchase unfit property.
See 1938.
National Health Insurance Act (26Geo.V & 1Edw.VIII, c.32) amended and
consolidated the law relating to insured persons, their contributions, benefits, the approved
societies, insurance committees, and central finance and administration. From 1937 the