THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF MENTAL HEALTH 89

in such a teaching unit, who would be interested in all psychiatric
surveys and follow-up inquiries. From the administrative standpoint,
such inquiries are necessary in order to gauge the value of the services
on which public money is spent.

The eleven activities of the Medical Officer of Mental Health
above-mentioned are suggested tentatively. They are not put forward
as either exhaustive or complete ; but they permit of a general evalua-
tion of this officer's important role in the mental health services of the
future, which can now be considered from certain other standpoints.

Relations of Medical Officer of Mental Health. This officer will
have dealings with many organizations, committees and people.
Five of these will here be considered. He will be the chief executive
officer of the Mental Health Committee, to which he will be responsible.
But his task will also bring him into organic relationship with the
Board of Control or (if its name be changed, as many desire) the Board
of Mental Health. The Board might find it convenient to deal with
organizations in a given area through this officer ; he would at least
have to be kept informed of all regulations, administrative orders and
proposals which emanated from the Board. If, further, he is con-
cerned in ascertainment, he would have important dealings with the
Ministry of Education.

He would further be in close touch with the profea-sor of psychiatry
at a Teaching Psychiatric Unit. In a closely knit psychiatric service,
refresher courses and periods of post-graduate study spent at the
Teaching Unit would have to be planned. Proposals for surveys and
research might emanate from the Teaching Unit. The co-operation
of the Medical Officer of Mental Health, would be essential

Lastly, this officer would have close dealings with the Super-
intendents of Mental Hospitals, Certified Institutions and Colonies.
It was suggested in Chapter XI that the needs of an area of a million
population would be met by three or four Mental Hospitals of about
a thousand beds each and by two Colonies of approximately similar
size. The Medical Officer of Mental Health would thus have dealings
with several Superintendents. The fact should be recognized that
there might here be occasions for friction, especially if the Mental
Health Committee were to use the Medical Officer of Mental Health
as aa intermediary in dealing with superintendents who might conse-
quently feel that their access to this Committee (which would embrace
the present Visiting Committee) was less direct than formerly. The
Medical Officer of Mental Health would therefore be wise if he took
pains to maintain the closest and friendliest contact with superin-
tendents, who might be asked to serve on an informal advisory group
with which he could discuss, in the formative stages, mat
or of administrative importance, The Medical Officer of
Healtli and the superintendents should form a friendly family.
Medical Officer of Mental Health would be concerned with the ©co-
ordination of the extra-mural activities of the area; he wouM
little to do with what went on inside Mental Hospitals and
themselves.