View report page

58
Those Exhibitors who were asked to take part in the Exhibition did so with
considerable enthusiasm, and went to a great deal of trouble in producing or finding
interesting material for display, whether educational, historic, or scientific. Some of
the exceptional items which might be specially mentioned were the original
Rowlandson print and doggerel poem relating to illness caused through pork pies
made in the Lower Road, Islington, in 1811, loaned by the Chief Sanitary Inspector,
Luton ; a model showing the hanging of a citizen for producing smoke by burning
raw coal in 1370, loaned by the Medical Officer of Health, Southwark, as well as
two excellent models showing fit and unfit underground rooms ; radio-active blowflies
and Geiger counter from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research ;
Home Accident models loaned by the Medical Officer of Health, Birmingham ; a
most interesting collection of scarce historical pharmacists' exhibits on the stand of
the London Executive Council ; automatic smoke recording apparatus from the L.C.C.
Chemical Branch ; and a model room showing typical conditions of neglected old
persons, constructed by members of the Public Health Department staff.
Special attention was directed to the subject of promoting health consciousness
in School-children. Children in all Islington Schools were invited to send in original
paintings on health subjects— such as going to bed early, cleaning teeth, drinking
milk, etc., and over 140 entries were received. These entries were judged by Mr.
Barclay-Russell, Art Inspector, L.C.C., County Hall, Mr. Hickman-Smith, Islington
Art Circle, and the Medical Officer of Health in relation to subject matter. Entries
were received from children of seven years and over, and the judges agreed that a
very high standard was reached, especially by the young children- The 27 best
pictures selected were displayed in the Exhibition Hall. Her Worship the Mayor
kindly presented awards consisting of small monetary prizes in the form of Savings
Certificates and stamps, and Certificates of Commendation. School parties were
specially invited to be present on this occasion.
Among the visitors, were Health Department staffs from other Local Authorities
in the London area, Post-graduate students in Public Health, Hospital Nursing and
District Nursing staffs, both from Islington and other Boroughs, Polytechnic
students, and St. John Ambulance Brigade contingents. Favourable publicity was
given in the local Press and also in professional journals.
In addition to the exhibits on the stands, Health films, selected by the Department,
as well as rodent infestation films, were shewn throughout the week in the
cinema constructed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in the centre of the
Public Hall. Further health educational work was also arranged during the Exhibition
week by means of evening talks, with or without films, given by various
organisations, including the Public Health Department.
The very considerable assistance given by the Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries in connection with the provision of exhibition stands and publicity was
much appreciated.
The Health Exhibition proved a most worth-while effort on the part of all
concerned, in spite of the vast amount of work involved, and served a most useful
purpose in the education of the public in health and Health Service matters.
The stands arranged and the responsible exhibitors were as follows :—
Metropolitan Water Board.
Environmental Hygiene—Public Health Department, Islington.
Housing—Housing and Public Health Departments, Islington.