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35. ~
@.(a) . Health Education - Films.
During 1943, Indication was received from the Ministry of
Health that a film - 'Scabies' - diagnosis and treatment - was
available to be shown to audiences restricted to professional
people and others who had special interest in the subject.
As a result, on the 80th June this film was shown at
Electricity House, Erith, to audiences comprising doctors, nurses
and others vitally 'interested, not only from Erith but from neighbouring
boroughs comprising the Dartford Division of the British
Medical Association. The attendance was excellent and the reaction
to this instructive method of dealing with a subject of current
interest was clearly evidenced.
0 the 14th July 1943, a series of films were shown on four
occasions (lunch time, tea time and two evening performances) when '
the attendances, especially from the Youth Organisations in the
Borough were again excellent. -he films shown on this occasion were:-
1. Defeat Diphtheria. 2. -Blood
3. Subject for Discussion. 4. A. B. C. D. of Health.
5. 'Oh! Whiskers'.
On the 9th September 1943, an experiments was made in producing
a balanced programme. There were four performances as before and
between each film were slides giving details of (a) one Diphtheria
Immunisation Campaign, (b) details and cimes of various clinics, (c)
details of school canteens a d (d) details of war time nurseries.- The
films shown on this occasion were:-
1. The Empty Bed. 2. Dinner at School.
3. A Child Went Fcrt.,. 4. Defeat Diphtheria.
During October a further effort was made in this direction,
having due regard to the interest evidenced in the previous films,
and on the 27th October the following films were shown on three
occasions during the afternoon and evening.
1. Unwanted Guests. 2. Rut Destruction.
3. The Nose Has It. 4. Dangers in the Dark.
5. The Soviet School Child.
At each performance the Medical 0. ficer of Health was
available to introduce the programme and to answer any questions
afterwards.
It would appear that there is a definite call for health
education of this type providing that an effort is made to balance
the programme. The attendance by the Youth Organisations was
encouraging as also were their questions.
1 consider that it is essential to group a series of films
so as to make a programme of from 60 to 90 minutes duration and
that a doctor should be present at each performance to answer
questions as they arise.