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9
[1926
EDUCATIONAL PROPAGANDA.
A special Committee, composed of members of both the Public Health and
Maternity and Child Welfare Committees, was formed to consider propaganda :/i
relation to Health and Baby Week. In former years the Town Hall was used,
but last year considerable difficulty was experienced as it had ceased to be used
for Town Hall purposes, and chairs had to be hired. The condition of the hall after
standing empty also precluded its being used without considerable expense for
cleaning, etc. The Committee, therefore, formed the opinion that it would be
better to have an outstanding lecturer and a special lecture to inaugurate the
propaganda. Professor H. R. Kenwood, C.M.G., M.B., F.R.S.E., Medical
Officer of Health of the County of Bedfordshire and the Metropolitan Borough of
Stoke Newington, gave the inaugural lecture entitled, "The First Law of
Health." The special subject chosen, after consultation with the Welfare
Centres, for the week was "Cleanliness and its Relation to the Home and Health."
A leaflet giving a list of the Public Health Departments, the Tuberculosis
Dispensaries, and the Welfare Centres, addresses and hours, was prepared, and
the Medical Officer of Health supplied introductory notes as follows:—
"Health and good estate of body are above all gold."
(Ecclesiasticus, 30, 15)
METROPOLITAN BOROUGH OF ISLINGTON.
While a large proportion of the work of a public health department is
inspections in which questions of cleanliness of premises and of food supplies
enter largely, the citizens in their homes must also play their part in the campaign
for cleanliness and health.
It is well known that exposure to infection accounts for much ill-heath, but
by the observance of scrupulous cleanliness, infection is very materially diminished,
and in the absence of dirt and contamination, the resistance of the individual to
infection is greatly increased.
The Surroundings of the Home.
The back yard and garden should contain nothing to attract flies.
The dustbin should have a closely-fitting cover to keep out flies and cats.
With care—for example, lining with paper, and omission of wet things—the
metal does not readily rust.
Decaying matter, besides smelling offensively, attracts flies, if unable to burn
this wrap well in paper.
Cardboard boxes and waste paper should be burnt.
Use water freely to flush the sink waste and drains, as well as soap and water
for the floor.
Ventilate the house by opening the windows. Sunlight and fresh air are
necessary for health.
"Water, Air, and Cleanliness, are the Chief Articles in My Pharmacopeia."
(Napoleon I.)
The Food Supply for the Household.
Choose nourishing food, children require a varied diet to be healthy.
Milk is one of the cheapest foods considering its body-building value.
Eat some fresh fruit daily.
Brown bread is better than white.
Fish is a valuable diet.