The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-14

The Alabama Society for Mental Fly giene which Is comparatively new association In the state, has affiliated with the national committee on mental hygiene and hopes In the near future to accomplish much good The need of such lwork is seen on every hand, from the child that is feeble minded to the adult criminal that needs the sympathy of the state instead of punishment.
 The following officers have been elected and the following chairmen of committees appointed;
 Officers: President. John W. Aber crombie. Tuscaloosa; first vice presi- dent, Mrs. F. D. Loosey, Tuscaloosa; zee ond vice president. Dr. Charles A. Brown, Birmingham: third vice presi- dent, Mrs R. DuPont Thompson. Bir mingham secretary treasurer, pr. W. D. Partlow. assistant superintendent Bryce hospital. Tuscaloosa.
 Chairmen of Committees: Education, Dr. John Y. Graham Tuscaloosa; publi- city Mrs. Sydney Ullman, Birmingham. clinics and dispensaries, pr. F. D. Bon durant, Mobile; membership and finance, Dr. J. J. Doster, University; survey of census of detectives, pr. Scale Harris. Birmingham; legislation. Col. Samuel Will John, Massillon; library. Col. R. A. Mitchell, Gadsden; social service, Mrs. M w. Searight, Birmingham.
 Article II of the constitution says:
 "The chief purpose shall be, to work for the conservation of mental health; for the prevention of brain diseases and deficiencies and for the improvement in facilities for the care and treatment of those suffering from nervous or mem tai diseases or mental deficiency"
 Article g. Committees: Tn order that the work of carrying out the purposes, policies and plans of the society may be more effective and thorough, the ex- ccutive committee shall have provided to assist 1t in this, the following stand ing committees from the society mem bership l. Committee on education. 2. On publicity. 3. Op clinics and dispen- saries 4. On membership and finance. 5. On survey or census of defective. epileptic, malformed or feeble minded children. 6. On social service. '. On leg islation s. On library.
 Vacancies occurring in any of these committees by resignation, death or re- moval, may be provided for at each annual meeting of the society"
 The duties of these committees have been carefully outlined so that each phase of the work can be carried on carefully and with the best interests for the work looked after.
 The duties of the committee on edu- cation will give an idea of the immense scope for work such an institution can cover.
 Duties of Committees: 1. Committee on Education-It shall be the purpose and duty of the committee on education to instruct the public in the principles and means that contribute to mental hygiene. To this end they shall make use of correspondence; of printed cir culars and manuscripts; of the public press; of lectures and addresses in the churches. the schools and wherever they can get access to the public The chill dren in the schools of the state are a most fertile field among whom to work. AS much as Is available the school sys- tenn of the state should be taken ad- vantage of to instruct the young in the most vital subject of mental improve ment and mental impairment. It shall be the purpose to secure such reform in our public education as will best ad- just 1t to mental and physical health preservation, 50 that 1t will at all points contribute to conservation and improve ment and at no point be permitted to operate against these ends.
 The committee shall endeavor to work out some definite plan which may be recommended to be incorporated and included in the scheme of public edu- cation of the state. which would prac- tically and effectively enlighten all chill dren and youth on mental hygiene and all questions relating to individual and public health, sanitation and hygiene and in any way 1t may deem best. look into the problem of education for pre- vention of mental, nervous and other diseases"
 This committee shall prepare a report with recommendations to the annual meeting of the society.
 A very important committee Is that committee that has the survey or cen sus of detectives, epileptic. malformed and feeble-minded children. Locating as nearly as possible all such defective children, securing their names as well as postoffice address Of the parents. In this they may secude the aid and CO., operation of the national committee. It Is hoped by this means to locate. tabu- late and classify all defective children in the state. Then with definite knowl- edge of tho magnitude In number and other data in hand the society may be able to advise and recommend such measures as will best take care of the subject.
 The library committee has to ca-op- crate with the Bryce hospital library and aid in making this library source of pleasure to the patients. It may be possible to obtain free carriage for such packages by express and freight com panies. but when this cannot be ar ranged 1t Is the purpose of the society to pay such express and freight charges from it's treasury.
 The following duties of the commit tee on social service will give an adc- Quate undcrstanding of the large scope