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24
14th October, 1925,
To the Chairman and Members of the
Public Health Committee.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Health Week—October 4tli to 10th.
During the week above mentioned leaflets on a variety of health subjects was distributed to
nearly every house in the Borough. This procedure ensured far more publicity, and reached a
far greater number of people than had been secured in previous years by means of lectures, etc.,
in the Town Hall. Altogether over 100,000 leaflets were distributed. With the object of stimulating
interest in the leaflets in the homes and to ensure their perusal, His Worship the Mayor
generously offered a number of prizes to children attending the elementary schools in the Borough
for the best essay on any one of the leaflets. The head teachers of the boys' and girls' departments
cordially supported this suggestion and supervised the writing of the essays. They also
agreed to select and forward to me the three best essays from each school. From these the prize
winners were chosen. The work of preparation and distribution of the leaflets was very great.
The whole of the clerical staff of the department worked very hard in getting the leaflets ready
and arranging them in bundles for each street. A number of voluntary workers also rendered
assistance. The scheme could not, however, have been carried out but for the assistance of
Councillor Bev. Conyers Morrell, M.A., who very kindly organised a staff of 100 boys from his
Church Lads' Brigade, and these, under his supervision, undertook the task of delivering the
leaflets. Assistance was also given by the 2nd St. Pancras Troop of Boy Scouts under Mr. H.
Van Winsen, and Mr. Gerrard, of the St. Pancras Cadets. Two meetings were also held during
Health Week. One, for senior school children, took place at the St. Pancras House of Fellowship,
His Worship the Mayor, presiding, and Councillor Dr. Gregg and Councillor Mrs. Alliston
and others spoke. This was a very successful meeting, between 500 and 600 persons being
present. The other meeting for both parents and school children was arranged by Mr. Suffling,
Headmaster of the Brecknock School, and at this an address was given by Dr. Vawdrey, School
Medical Officer.
I am, etc.,
G. Sowden,
Medical Officer of Health.
In addition to the above your Medical Officer of Health prepared a booklet on the
various public health activities of the Borough Council, together with other local information
likely to be useful to members of the profession, and this was printed and circulated to all
medical practitioners in the Borough.
National Rat "Week.
Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries issued a notice suggesting that the above
should he observed during the week commencing November 2nd, 1925. This suggestion was
accepted and the measures enumerated below were adopted : —
(a) A circular was forwarded to the occupiers of all premises particularly likely to be
infested—such as railway sheds and sidings, goods yards, wharves, slaughter-houses,
corn chandlers, etc. Attention was also called to the necessity of abolishing refuse
and rubbish heaps of all kinds.
(b) The chemists and hardware dealers in the Borough were asked to stock, exhibit, or
advertise suitable raticides, traps, etc., during the week.