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and is being addressed to the proprietors of such trades as butchers and
meat salesmen, bakers and confectioners, greengrocers and fruiterers,
dairies, sweet shops and, indeed, any trade where human food is
handled:—
''Dear Sirs,
"The Public Health Committee are very desirous of encouraging
personal cleanliness amongst all those whose occupation involves
the handling of food. Especially do they wish to inculcate the
need of washing of hands after using W.C. The importance of this
is obvious; it is not only a matter of elementary hygiene, but the
neglect of it may directly lead to the spread of disease.
"With this object in view, we are asking the proprietors of
businesses in the various branches of the food trade to allow a printed
notice (specimen enclosed) to be affixed to the doors of each W.C.
used by their employees.
"If you are willing to help us in this matter, I shall be glad
if you will fill up the enclosed card and return it to me.
"It is assumed that suitable facilities, in the form of fixed
wash-basins, with water laid on and provided with soap and towels,
already exist and are available for the use of your employees. If
not, the Public Health Committee hope that you will see your way
to providing them. It is desirable that such facilities should be in
convenient proximity to the W.C.
"Yours, etc.,
"Medical Officer of Health.''
Enclosed with the letter was a card 6in. by 4in., inscribed:—
AS HANDLERS OF FOOD
YOU SHOULD ALWAYS
WASH YOUR HANDS
AFTER USING A W.C.
Public Health Department, Southwark.
Also enclosed with the letter was a printed reply postcard, to be
returned to us, stating how many of the cards they could make use of.
The response to this letter has been on the whole satisfactory, and
already over 1 000 of these cards have been issued.