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high rate of atmospheric pollution existing in winter (as compared with summer) must
surely be due to the domestic fire.
Contained in the report is a comprehensive survey of the Health Week Exhibition and
all who attended were enthusiastic regarding this example of positive health education.
In a modern health department such efforts should be made from time to time, however the
establishment of administrative and clerical officers in the Health Department does not
allow for time to be spent on designing exhibits or the making, painting and erection of
same, together with special lighting effects, and it was only by unstinted loyalty of the
staff in "do it yourself" work that made the Exhibition possible at such infinitesimal
cost.
Health education goes on the whole year round and the talks given by the medical and
nursing staff and the Chief Public Health Inspector to groups of mothers and local
organisations total several hundreds. The informal chats given to small groups, where
questions are encouraged, is in my opinion the most valuable form of health education. In
the education of the public 'en masse' lies the value of a Health Exhibition.
Although the duties of public health inspectors are statutorily laid down, I consider
that work in health education is more important than legal enforcements. Indeed the
informal chat on personal hygiene to the food handler can do more to encourage food
hygiene than the enforcement of physical improvements to the premises.
As Medical Officer of Health I am required to report on the persona] health services,
(of which I am Area Medical Officer).This section of the Annual Report is mostly statistical
as there is a limit to the time which may with advantage be spent on the compilation of
reports. A Health Exhibition, vaccination against poliomyelitis, and the compilation of a
separate Jubilee School Health Report during the year have been events of sufficient
magnitude in total to disrupt to a degree the normal work of the Health Department. The
carrying out of the environmental and personal health services under one roof is to my
mind one of the most valuable integrations of Local Government.
I take the opportunity of recording my appreciation of the support of the Council
and in particular Councillor P.W.Marshall Chairman of the Public Health Committee, and
Alderman Mrs. J. Hammond, Chairman of the Leyton Health Area Sub-Committee, the co operation
of Officers of other departments, and the loyalty and industry of the staff of the Health
Department.
I have the honour to be
Mr.Mayor. Ladies and Gentlemen.
Your obedient servant,
MELVILLE WATKINS
Medical Officer of Health.
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