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37
HEALTH EDUCATION.
A written report on the work of the department cannot give
much more than a statistical summary of the work done, with a
note describing any new work of special interest. It would be
difficult to describe, in detail, the many services provided. However,
an excellent opportunity to see a graphic description of the
whole work of the department was provided by the Civic Exhition,
held at the Town Hall for a week in October.
This exhibition was planned in such a manner as to show the
many ways in which the Council is concerned in the life of the
citizen. The Health Services, of course, do affect every inhabitant
in the Borough at some time in their lives. The Ante-natal Clinic,
Midwifery Service and Maternity Hospital, Child Welfare Centre,
School Health Service, Sanitary Inspector's Department, Ambulance
Service, Prevention of Infectious Disease and the Isolation Hospital
were all represented in the main hall, together with display stands
representing the other departments of the municipal service.
In addition, a miniature day nursery accommodating children from
the nurseries, occupied an ante-room. The attendance of 22,000
visitors at the exhibition fully merited the work entailed in planning
and preparing the exhibits. It is, of course, by means such as
this exhibition that the public can come to realise the many ways
in which local services can be utilised to their personal advantage.
A descriptive booklet explaining the work of the Public Health
Department also serves a very useful purpose in bringing to the
notice of the public the many branches of the health service.
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE.
This is the third report on the School Health Service since the
coming into operation of the Education Act, 1944. Apart from
slight modifications of procedure the service continued to function
on the same lines as in previous years.
More attention was paid to the ascertainment of handicapped
pupils in the area and the procedure for dealing with verminous
children was carried out strictly in accordance with section 54 of
the Education Act.
Cod liver oil and malt was made available to school children
on recommendation and under the supervision of assistant medical
officers. Issues were made to children suffering from active rickets
malnutrition, chronic chest affections as well as to children convalescing
after severe illness.
Towards the end of the year the service undertook for the
first time the immunisation of pre-school children against whooping