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87
and other social bodies. It is found that at these
meetings many intelligent questions are asked which
show that the desire for knowledge of health matters is
well marked in this district. A number of pamphlets
are distributed at the Infant Welfare Centres by the
Health Visitors.
The experiment of sending out birthday cards
accompanied by appropriate pamphlets which was
commenced during 1933 has shown that although in a
few cases the dissemination of health knowledge has
proved of value, the repetition on the second, third and
fourth anniversaries has been much less effective than
that on the first birthday. Also the pressure of work
on the clerical staff has made the original scheme impracticable.
Of recent months, therefore, the scheme has been
restricted to the first year and the results are being
carefully noted in order to ascertain whether or. not the
issue of birthday cards should be continued.
In October the Council decided to hold an exhibit ion
in Valence House as a part of the celebration of the Local
Government Centenary. One section of this exhibition
was devoted to Public Health and Maternity and Child
Welfare. For the latter sub-section, the assistance of the
Central Council for Health Education was sought, and
this body supplied an exhibit showing in miniature the
various phases of home life and infant management.
Those who attended will remember that during the
whole time that the exhibition was opened, there was
very marked interest evinced in the health section.
Approximately 35,000 persons attended, most of whom
were local residents, but in addition many persons from
long distances made journeys to Dagenham for this
purpose.