London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Friern Barnet 1959

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Friern Barnet]

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while we have mentioned the importance of accidents
in the home and the ways in which these accidents
can be avoided, at various talks given throughout
the year,It will be appreciated, however,
that this is a matter which effects the personal
health services' rather more ohan the environmental
health services. Most of the work has therefore
been carried out by members of the Area Health
Office Staff, particularly Health Visitors at clinics.
Apart from the display of posters and leaflets and
exhibits in the Kicsk outside the Town Hall, a
comparatively minor contribution to this enormous
subject, we have particularly stressed the importance
of the use of non-flammable material. I have been
particularly concerned in trying to persuade the
makers of non-flammable material to have this
material stocked at as many stores in the district
as possible. In order to encourage mothers to
use non flammable material for the making of children's
frocks, we have had several frocks made by voluntary
workers and staff at our clinics, so that the mothers
could see how attractive the material is and how it
can be made up into suitable dresses, particularly
party dresses for their young children. Although
this may not seem at first sight to be a subject
which could come under the heading of Public Health,
it is none the less a vital issue. When one considers
what is being done in the field of immunisation and
vaccination, and when one remembers the quite apalling
number of serious, often fatal accidents which occur
in the home, due either to burns or to other types
of accident, one realises that anything we can do to
reduce this"great and increasing risk will be well
worth while.
In conclusion, I would express my
sincerest thanks to the Public Health Committee and
to the Urban District Council for the continued
courtesy and assistance which I have como to expect
as Medical Officer of Health. I would also
express my grateful thanks to every member of the
Public Health Department, and in particular to my
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