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9
Discussion
The figures from this survey in Camberwell are in general
agreement with previous studies. Falls accounted for 46.7 per
cent, of all home accidents, cuts for 23 per cent. and thermal
agents, burns and scalds for 18 per cent.
Notification has proved of the greatest value in the control
of communicable diseases, and it is increasingly evident that
fact finding must also be an essential preliminary to the institution
of preventive measures against many other problems of
public health importance. Accidents in the home fall into this
category. The mortality figures which are generally available
give an incomplete picture, for minor accidents greatly exceed
major ones and the age and sex grouping is different. Reporting
by hospitals and general practitioners gives fuller and more
detailed information, which serves as the basis for enquiry and
correction. It is necessary also to know what is happening
locally since social and environmental circumstances influence
the type and incidence of these injuries.
Most of the less serious accidents occur between the ages of
20 and 60 and housewives are specially liable. Many of these
accidents can be classed as ordinary domestic hazards which are
unavoidable; but in others there are personal or physical factors,
the correction of which may prevent the occurrence of more
serious or fatal injuries subsequently.
The individual approach has advantages over the pamphlet,
poster and lecture, and in this form of propaganda the public
health inspector and health visitor have particular responsibilities.
Both have a part to play, not only when they visit
households in which accidents have occurred, but during their
routine visits before accidents have happened. Each having
established a liaison with the local gas board officials, should be
on the look-out for defective appliances and also for structural
defects such as broken window-cords and worn staircases or
floors. The health visitor was able to give sound advice to
numbers of housewives who figured in the present series, and the
public health inspector initiated action to correct defects in
many houses.

There is a correlation between unsuitable housing and accidents.
Overcrowding in small, badly-lit rooms, with unsatisfactory
cocking arrangements, increases the risk, but