1930 - Annual Convention Report

              38 A L B E R T A W O M E N ' S I N S T I T U T ES
The total maternal mortality in Canada in 1928 was 13,331. In Alberta it
was 106; seven mothers died in A l b e r t a for every thousand living'babies born.
In spite of the fact that of 886 hospitals in Canada, Al'berta has 150. If health
units could be established there is no doubt that maternal mortality in the
Province could be considerably lowered.
Recent Advances in Health Work
D u r i n g the fall of 1929 Mental Hygiene Clinics were established • by the
Department of Health in Edmonton and Calgary. The superintendent of the
Provincial Mental Institute is in charge of these Clinics, to which are re­ferred
problem cases of the Juvenile Courts, Police Courts, Schools, Homes
and Welfare Organizations. It is hoped through the establishment of thesr
Clinics that problem cases may - be brought under supervision and observation
at an early date and many mental breakdowns prevented.
Provision is being made in the addition to the University Hospital, now
under construction, for a Psychopathic department, in which accommodation
w i l l be provided for 18 patients.
At a recent meeting of the Executive Committee of the Alberta Medical
Association, a Cancer Committee was appointed. This committee will com­mence
an energetic movement to counteract the increasing mortality due to
cancer. The best authorities consider that by using properly supervised sur­gical
and radiological procedure ill the early stages there is no doubt that
deaths due to cancer would be reduced approximately fifty per cent.
The Canadian National Committee for Mental Hygiene has ' been very
active during the past year in research work relative to mental deficiency
and mental disease and in several eastern centres parent training classes
have been established. This is a new departure and is showing very satis­factory
results.
One might go on indefinitely in a report on Health activities as there
are so many phases of the work. However, I shall close this report by saying
that information on almost any phase of the work can be procured by apply­i
n g to the Provincial Department of Health, Edmonton, or to the Deputy
Minister of Pensions and National Health, E l g i n Building, Ottawa.
OUTLINE
Standing Committee on Child Welfare and Public Health, 1930- 31.
Let our work for this year be not a study of " How to Get W e l l , " but
rather let it be " H o w to Keep W e l l ."
1. Follow last year's outline in our endeavor to lower the maternal death-rate.
2. Tuberculosis is an ever- growing menace. Make a special study of its
prevention and cure.
3. One of the greatest needs of our people today is, " To Learn to Relax";
especially is this true of our young people and our prairie mothers. Fea­ture
this subject on your program, either by address or round- table talk.
Feature this subject:
1. Hold a Baby Clinic.
2. Endeavor to have all school children examined by either doctor or nurse.
Where possible, follow up with travelling Clinic.
3. Make special study of the relation of food, rest, sleep and play to the
mental and physical development of the child.
4. Get a thorough knowledge of what is meant by " Sanitation," then apply
that knowledge both at home and at school.
Yours sincerely,
M A B E L H U Y C K.