Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1958
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as a London County Council Dancing Class with the services of a fully
qualified teacher and pianist supplied and paid for by the London
County Council. Classes are held one afternoon a week and a fee of
l/6d per term is paid by each old person who attends. This class
commenced with the permitted minimum of 16 members, but in 18 months
the membership has increased to 50, and all members say they feel
great benefit from dancing.
ACCIDENTS IN THE HOME
Deaths attributable to such causes in England and Wales are
now known to exceed 6,000 annually. Of this total, it is
estimated that burns and scalds accounted for some 700 (or
approximately 11.6/6 of the deaths recorded). Detailed information
as to the number of non-fatal cases is not available, but it is
reasonable to assume that not less than 50,000 persons present
themselves for hospital treatment each year following accidents
in their homes.
The greater percentage of this suffering is undoubtedly due to
the non-observance of elementary safety precautions, allied, to a
certain extent, and where burns and scalds are occasioned, by
inadequacies in the construction of certain types of goods on the
market.
Although this great wastage of life, and/or the permanent or
temporary nature of handicaps which have to be contended with are
constantly brought to the notice of the general public, it is
regrettable to record that no diminution in the relevant figures
established can be reported.
Posters, leaflets, brochures, &c., are available from a
variety of sources, including the Ministry of Health, the Royal
Society for the Prevention of Accidents, the Central Council of
Health Education, the National Baby Welfare Council, and the
British Standards Institution, whilst the Borough Council prominently
displays precautionary propaganda.