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intelligent co-operation of the public by teaching them the reasons
and need of health education.
One of the essential requirements of the scheme was the
necessity of getting into touch with the largest possible percentage
of the population, even to the extent of lecturing in the street to
the man who could not be enticed to learn by more usual methods.
The report was adopted by the Council and instructions
given that the suggestions outlined should be put into operation.
During the ten years the Propaganda Section of the Department
has been in existence, a vast amount of interesting and valuable
experience in the subject has been gained. The original scheme
has been modified and improved ; methods of getting into touch
with the people have altered, as necessity demanded, but the
main essential is still the same, i.e., to talk on health subjects on
all suitable occasions, whether for five minutes in a Maternity and
Child Welfare Centre, a few minutes in the home or in the street,
or an hour at a big public meeting.
The following is a brief outline of the work done during the
past ten years:—
Schools. Although not specifically mentioned in the original
scheme, it was soon evident that some of the most important
teaching of hygiene could be done at the schools, given the cooperation
of the County Council and the teaching staffs. Negotiations
were opened with the County Council who readily gave
the necessary concession and a general permission for such lectures
to be given in the elementary schools in the Borough. The first
lecture was given on February 4th, 1925, at Thurland Road
school, and from that date school lectures have been a regular
feature during the winter months, the total number at the time of
writing being 411. All lectures are given by doctors on the
staff of this department, and without exception are illustrated
by lantern slides and films. Immediately the schools re-open
after the summer holidays, a member of our staff visits and books
suitable dates for the winter months. Owing to the lack in most
schools of dark blinds in the halls and class rooms, the work is
limited to the winter months, but during this period, five different