THE NUTRITION SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
DIE VOEDINGSVERENIGING VAN SUIDELIKE AFRIKA

The Inaugural Meeting of this Society was held at Medical House, Johannesburg, on February 11th. Before the formal business began, some 50 persons interested in the formation of the Society met at dinner and three visiting American scientists, Drs J. Gordon, D. M. Hegsted and Martha Trulson, all of Harvard University and all experts in one or other branch of nutrition, were present. Prof. J. T. Irving, Chairman of the Steering Committee, presided. The Nutrition Society of Great Britain sent greetings to the new society and best wishes for continued success; several people who were unable to be present wrote sending good wishes. The Rules and By-Laws of the Society, which had previously been circulated for comment, were now unanimously agreed to and the Society was formally constituted. The following were appointed officers for 1957:

President: Dr F. W. Fox.
Chairman of Council.: Prof. J. T. Irving
Treasurer/Secretary: Dr J. M. Latsky.
Members of Council: Prof. J. F. Brock, Prof. D. G. Haylett. Dr A. W. Lategan. Dr W. A. Odendaal (alternate Prof. S. L. Kark), Dr M. M. Suzman.

It was unanimously agreed by acclamation that the three visiting American Scientists become the first honorary members of the Society.

After the formal business had been concluded, Dr Trulson gave an address entitled “Dietary Studies in Contrasting Populations.” Her talk was based on investigations she and her colleagues-had made in Peru. Surveys, dietary, economic and anthropometric had been carried out on children of various economic status and the results were ably and clearly presented from these various angles.

This subject is of particular importance here at present, as a nation-wide survey of this type is being planned and Dr. Trulson’s most interesting data provoked a long discussion of the problems and methods of surveys in general. More than sixty people attended the last part of the meeting and most of them have joined the Society.

Anyone interested in obtaining further information and who would like to become a member should get in touch with Dr J. M. Latsky, Department of Nutrition, Private Bag 170, Pretoria.

The rules state:

Membership of the Society shall be open to any: suitably qualified person whose work, in the opinion of the Council, may contribute to scientific knowledge of nutrition or to its application to the promotion of human or animal health.

While the Society itself has only one Annual General Meeting, when the President gives an address and formal business is transacted, provision exists in the rules for the formation of Regional Branches which, it is hoped, will he created in all the larger centres. These regional branches would meet frequently for the presentation of’ original papers and for symposia. It is anticipated that regional branches will be formed immediately in the Pretoria-Johannesburg area and in Cape Town.

Nutrition Society of Great Britain

The Nutrition Society of Great Britain will hold a symposium in Cambridge, England, on Friday and Saturday, 5th and 6th July, 1957, on Flour and Bread. The Chairman will he Sir Rudolph Peters.

April  1967