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14
These were identical with the recommendations which the Medical
Officer of Health made to the Public Health Committee, not only on
this occasion but on a previous occasion when measles were epidemic.
Unfortunately the licensing of the kinemas had just taken place before
the outbreak so that we were not able to bring special pressure to bear
upon the kinemas in this way. The letter, however, was sent to the
kinemas in Croydon and also, I understand, to the Central Association
representing Kinematograph Theatres throughout the country.
The following resolution of the Council was also forwarded to the
Local Government Board
That the Local Government Board be asked to consider the
desirability of providing by regulation under the D.O.R.A.
or otherwise for the enforcement of conditions similar to
those set out above (a and b).
Publicity arrangements
Posters and handbills were freely used throughout the Borough,
These were posted up and distributed at all the principal factories and
workshops, public institutions, libraries, baths, lavatories, principal
business premises, etc. A bundle of handbills was also sent to the
Ministers of Churches of all denominations in the town with a letter
requesting them to place the leaflets in the church porch for the congregation
to take. A copy of the leaflet was also inserted with every
letter that went from the Public Health Department during the period
of the epidemic. Pamphlets were not sent out to the schools as these
were closed.
Advantage was also taken of the local press. Interviews having
been asked for, the Medical Officer of Health took the opportunity of
giving general advice to the public in this manner.
Disinfection.
This was not carried out in any routine way as, in my opinion, it
is of no advantage in ordinary influenza. Disinfection, however, was
performed in premises where death or serious complications (more
particularly of pneumonic type) had occurred.
Schools.
In both outbreaks practically the whole of the schools of the
Borough were closed. As the disease was not notifiable it is not
possible to say what was the effect of closure, but at least, the contact
of children of different families with each other was lessened by this
procedure.