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education and, while we cannot be too grateful for the great names in
Preventive Medicine, we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that much disease
and disorder is preventable, if the knowledge of the experts were made
accessible to, and welcomed by, the public at large. The knowledge of
the few must be made the possession of the many, if public assent is to be
won to such measures as are necessary for the control of disease and the
attainment of health.
Recognising the truth of these facts, the Public Health Committee,
last year, sanctioned the expenditure of £110 Public Education in
Health. This took the form of an offer of lectures on various aspects of
health and disease, as they affect the community, the Adult and the Child.
Organisations, social, political and religious, were approached, and the
response was immediate and whole-hearted. Many organisations desired
to have more lectures than at that time could be allowed. Considerable
interest has been awakened, and it is significant that the animated
discussion and questions, which have followed each lecture, sometimes
lasted over an hour. It would appear that in some cases a series of lectures
would be appreciated and helpful, thus enabling the lecturer to deal with
a subject in more detail and related to a larger background.
In all, 48 lectures have been given, and it is estimated that nearly
3,800 people have been reached. Again and again, members of audiences
have expressed their appreciation of the opportunity of learning more
about these vital matters, which has been provided by our Health
Authority, and wished that such knowledge had been theirs years ago.