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by the Principal Dental Officer and await the reactions of
owners and customers of School tuck shops. The ideal would seem
to be a ban on snacks between meals, but if this is really going
too far, the less injurious foodstuffs, from the view point of
dental decay are set out.
The necessity to suggest somewhat unpleasant self discipline
as essential for the promotion or preservation of health becomes
greater as national prosperity increases. Hence the
growing importance of health education for children as well as
adults.
Since the formation of good habits in children is far simpler
than the alteration of bad habits in adults, much thought
and attention has been given to the enlargement of the work of
the Health Education Officer. The manner in which this has been
developed is described by Miss Elliott and 1959 was probably an
important turning point. It is hoped that from the decisions
made a sustained and continuous programme of expansion will
result.
Other improvements in existing services for maladjusted
children and the deaf and partially deaf were also planned for
the next financial year.
Because of the financial burden of education the monetary
demands, however modest, of ancillary services can be irritating
for those upon whom rests the primary duty. If as I understand
"education" implies far more than the mere acquisition of theoretical
knowledge, then precept and practice in the development
and preservation of the healthy body are surely closely allied.
Their inclusion within the educational system seems incontrovertible.
I record with pleasure the unfailing co-operation received
from the staffs of the Education Department and of the individual
schools, and thank the members of the Committee for
their continued confidence and encouragement.
Yours faithfully,
S.L. WRIGHT,
Principal School Medical Officer.
Public Health Dept.,
Croydon.