7. A physiological exhibit showed the size of feeds and how they corresponded to the size of stomachs: the sterilisation of milks, etc.

8. Methods of prevention of flies and their dangers.

Demonstrations were held during the exhibition twice daily by the Bytcica Hospital staff in Home Nursing in all its branches and First-Aid.

The Press, which was always asked to attend, kindly gave us free full page announcements of the proceedings, such as concerts, exhibitions, displays, etc. A picture paper, the "Slovensky Svet", printed a special number for the week, giving us half the proceeds for our work.

The whole campaign was carried out as economically as possible, and owing to the great assistance we had from the Czecho-Slovak Red Cross and some of the local Red Cross committees, who bore their own expenses, it was found to be possible to carry out the entire campaign for 30,000 Kronen ('). The results were generally considered to have exceeded expectations. General interest was aroused, as can be judged by the fact that about 500 towns and villages took active part in the Baby Week, which has already proved to have given an added impetus to the work of child welfare in this country. With the lessons learnt by this campaign, future efforts should be easier and still more effective, and so the cause of the child furthered in CzechoSlovakia.

MEDICAL CHRONICLE.

TRAINING OF PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES

AND SOCIAL WORKERS IN BELGIUM

by Dr René SAND, Secretary-General, League of Red Cross Societies.

N Belgium, before the war, social aid work and nursing were confided to

of training.

As regards nurses, there was the practically isolated example of the school founded in Brussels by Dr. Depage, which was directed by Edith Cavell; this school had adopted from the outset the basic principles of careful selection, of boarding the pupils and of making them undergo a three years' course.

During the war the situation was completely changed owing to the spread of social enterprises, the increased number of Red Cross and military hospitals, and the work undertaken by the British and American Red Cross Societies. As a result of the new ideas and of changes in fortune, young women took up professions which had been formerly looked down upon. This revolution of customs has found expression in two royal decrees, which provide for examinations for nurses and the training of social aid workers.

Concerning the latter, it is interesting to note that charity organisation societies and training schools for social workers were practically unknown in Belgium before the war. During the enemy occupation, philanthropic persons in Brussels founded the " Office d'Identification" (Bureau of Identification), practically a re-inauguration, under the pressure of circumstances, of coordinating welfare organisations which have long existed in Anglo-Saxon countries. The need for training investigators brought about the institution of a school of social service; this was realised in 1920, after due study of the organisation of similar institutions in other countries.

In addition to the central school for social service, which is non-political and non-confessional, two other catholic social service schools were soon created in Brussels, one being French and the other Flemish.

Mr. Emile Vandervelde, Minister of Justice (and of Social Works), who from the beginning had taken a keen interest in these schools, drew up the royal decree of October 15, 1920, which instituted a council of social service schools. This decree also bore the signature of the Ministers of Finance, of the Interior (and of Health), of Arts and Sciences (Public Instruction), of Industry and Labour, and of the Colonies, thereby marking the interest which these various departments of the Government took in the training of social workers. This council set to work and in July 1921 submitted to the Minister of Justice a complete report, which served as basis to the decree of August 10, 1921. The principal provisions of this decree are given below.

In order to prepare pupils for the official examination and to receive State subsidies, social service schools must only admit young people in good health, not under eighteen years of age, and sufficiently well educated.

Courses must be given by qualified teachers.

Schools must be established in centres, making it possible for the pupils to obtain practical training by visiting social institutions of sufficient importance and must be liable to inspection.

The period of training is two years, one year being for general instruction and another for specialisation, leading up to the diploma for social workers, which is attributed by an official jury.

First year. Physical education: At least five hours a week.

Theoretical courses: At least 300 hours, extending over a period of six months. These courses must be completed by special studies which include: Public and administrative law;

Civil law in relation to social work;

Political and social economy;

Labour legislation;

Public and private organisations for education, social welfare and aid; Personal and community hygiene, care of the sick, of wounded and of children;

Elementary practical psychology applied to social life;

Statistics, research work and office methods;

Congo (five hours).

Visit of fifty social organisations.

Oral examination at the end of the year.

Second year. The pupils can choose among the six following special subjects:

In each of these groups instruction is regulated according to the following plan:

Physical education: At least five hours a week.

Theoretical courses: At least 150 hours, covering a period of three months. These courses must be completed by special studies.

Probation: Six months in institutions connected with the special subject chosen. For future factory superintendents this must include three months of practical factory work conforming to the normal conditions for workers.

Final examination including:

(a) Discussion of thesis, submitted in writing at least one month before the examination and based on the experience acquired by the candidate during the period of probation;

(b) Oral examination on the various topics referred to in the royal decree. The royal decree of September 3, 1921, concerning examination of male and female nurses, is countersigned by Mr. Henri Jaspar, Minister of the Interior, to whom Belgium is indebted for the admirable development of its child welfare institutions.

This decree stipulates that, in order to enter a training school for nurses, candidates must:

1. Be at least seventeen years of age;

2. Be provided with a certificate of good health and physical aptitude, delivered by a doctor appointed by the medical commission;

3. Pass an examination before a jury appointed by the Government, consisting of doctors engaged in teaching in a nursing school and of teachers of the middle schools.

It is decreed that all pupils must be boarders, and that theoretical and practical instruction must be given by medical men, except as regards domestic economy, pedagogy and sociology.

The programme for hospitals nurses, male and female, is the following:

Elementary microbiology and parasitology.

Hygiene of the nurse, of the patients and surroundings.

Domestic economy.

Practical training: Constant attendance, during at least six months, in a hospital to follow the work of the various departments.

Examination: written, oral and practical tests.

Second year. Theoretical courses:

Elements of general internal and external pathology.

Carrying out of medical prescriptions, and auxiliary nursing.

Dietetics.

Hygiene and prophylaxis of communicable diseases.
Emergency work.

Massage.

In addition to this, for women nurses, assistance in child-birth, puericulture and child welfare work.

Probation: A full year in the various branches of clinical work: medical, surgical, contagious diseases and special ailments.

No examination.

Third year. Theoretical courses:

Complementary instruction, theoretical and clinical, in subjects of the second year's programme.

Duties of the nurse in the dressing and operating rooms.
Elements of social aid and welfare.

Probation: A full year in the various branches of clinical work: medical, surgical, contagious diseases and special ailments.

Final examination: Written, oral and practical tests.

For visiting nurses, the programme is as follows:

First and second years: Same as for hospital nurses.

Third year. Theoretical courses:

Hygiene and child welfare.

Elementary pedagogy.

Hygiene and prophylaxis of communicable diseases, especially as regards home nursing.

Prophylaxis of tuberculosis. - Nursing.

Theoretical and practical medical inspection in schools and homes.

Outlines of social legislation.

Fight against social evils.

Social aid and welfare.

Moral education of the visiting nurse.

Probation: Four months in medical and surgical child clinics, maternity homes, infant consultations, crèches, dispensaries for mothers, colonies for weakly children, etc.

One month in a special branch of tuberculosis hospital work and dispensary. One month in a tuberculosis sanatorium.

One month in the treatment of venereal and skin diseases.

One month of medical work among school children.

One month in medical and surgical consultation work for external cases.

Final examination: Written, oral and practical tests.

In the case of nurses, male and female, for the mentally unsound, the period of study lasts only two years.

Elementary psychiatry.

Special nursing.

Elements of special deontology.

Hygiene and prophylaxis of communicable diseases.

Emergency work.

Probation: A full year in an asylum or colony for lunatics.

Final examination: Written, oral and practical tests. Examinations are held in a public or private hospital, or in a medical clinic.

From the point of view of health work, Belgium is divided into fifteen districts, each possessing a medical commission which is elected by the medical profession, the Government appointing the chairman and secretary. Each commission appoints a jury consisting of one of its members, of three doctors teaching in nursing schools, of a professor of domestic economy and of a professor of social education.

Examinations are held before this district jury.