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8
charges for meat inspection. In the Borough of Erith most
of the slaughtering provides meat for neighbouring and other
authorities who do not, themselves, provide slaughtering
facilities. The Minister has indicated that everything possible
is being done to reach a practicable solution to the problem
and that his decision cannot now be long delayed.
The work of the Bexley, Erith and Crayford Home
Safety Committee continued to make progress. In an attempt
to prevent accidents from poisoning in the home, display
cards were sent to all doctors and chemists in the Borough
for use in their waiting rooms and shops, urging parents to
keep drugs and medicines in places where children would
not have access to them. A brains trust and film show was
also held, which was well attended particularly by senior
schoolchildren. It is hoped to intensify this propaganda by
giving regular talks and demonstrations to the latter and one
is driven more and more to the conclusion, in these days
when television and other distractions tend to keep people
tied to their homes, that in the senior schoolchildren of the
Borough lies the main hope of any future development in
regard to health education in general.
It is pleasing, once again, to record that the Erith Old
People's Welfare Committee has continued to do excellent
work in alleviating the lot of many old people by friendly
help, by assistance in kind when necessary, by making
arrangements for inexpensive holidays, chiropody and in
other ways. Their work, to some extent, co-ordinates and is
complementary to, that of the many Old People's organisations
in the Borough providing clubs and other recreational
facilities. The work of this voluntary organisation is of
immense value to the old people in the Borough. The domestic
help service, and, more recently, the night attendance and
family help services provided by the Local Health Authority,
also play a vital part in relieving the lot of many old people
who would otherwise have to be admitted to institutions.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the Chairman and Members
of the Health Committee for their support and encouragement,
and the Chief Sanitary Inspector, Chief Clerk and
all members of the Health Department for their excellent
service during the year.
I am,
Your obedient servant,
JOHN LANDON,
Medical Officer of Health.