London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Southwark 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southwark, Borough of]
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Several publicity campaigns were run during the year in conjunction with the
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. These included prevention of accidents to
children; water safety, in which the "learn to swim" theme and the danger of playing
near canals predominated; the safe storage of medicines, drug tablets and domestic
poisons; a "Buy for Safety" project with particular emphasis on heating and domestic
appliances and flame resistant materials, in which several retail stores co-operated; fire
prevention including fireworks; and falls. The Greater London Home Safety Council also
organised a competition for an accident prevention slogan, and one of the prizewinners
was a 15 vear old Southwark schoolgirl.
| 1968 | 1967 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fires in premises (excluding following) | 1,571 | 1,794 |
| Portable oil heater fires | 50 | 55 |
| Grass and chimney fires | 202 | 254 |
Summary of activities
Leaflet and booklets issued 87,120
Posters issued 5,451
Films (No. of screenings) 242
Projection equipment used 194
Talks:
Adults
Children
Ante natal and childbirth 20 32
Infant feeding 7 24
Child care 30 50
Housewifery, Parentcraft 54 11
Infectious diseases and Immunisation 3 15
Personal hygiene, general health, first aid etc. 38 58
Dental care 2 121
Nutrition, food hygiene 5 22
Sex education, family planning, venereal diseases 4 26
Smoking, drugs, alcoholism 1 11
Anatomy, biology etc. – 13
Environmental health and social services 32 55
Mental health 2 6
Accident prevention 15 36
Student groups 65 –
Totals
278
480
40