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always been ray pleasure to think that the co operation established
between the Public Health Department and other bodies and organisations,
not to mention individuals has been close and harmonious.
Thus, we have exerted the utmost efforts to promote the closest
liaison between the Department and general practitioners, a
liaison without which success in the field of Public Health can
never be fully attained. We have also co-operated to the full
with the Area Health Office, with other branches of the Middlesex
County Council such as the Welfare Department, the Children's
Department, Pood & Drugs Department, etc., and with the many
excellent voluntary organisations within the Borough which are
carrying out such wonderful work. I would also refer here to the
very happy relations which have always existed between the Public
Health Department and the local press. I cannot speak too highly
of the wonderful help we have received from the local press on
so many occasions, and would pay my humble tribute to the invaluable
assistance. The lack of this cordial co-operation, which
still seems to exist in some areas has always surprised me. It
seems so much easier to co-operate with other people rather than
to act in a non-co-operative manner. I am completely satisfied
that the extension of this co-operation in Wood Green over the
years during which I have acted as Medical Officer of Health for
the Borough, has played no little part in achieving results which
would otherwise have been impossible.
I also like to think that the burgesses of Wood Green know
that the Public Health Department exists for one reason only, to
help promote better health in the community. I think one can
honestly say that this is the case and that no burgess feels that
a visit or letter to the Public Health Department will ever be
neglected.
Accidents in the home a menace which is assuming quite
alarming proportions has continued to occupy our attention. I
have contributed articles on the subject to the local press
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 affects the personal health services
rather more than the environmental health services. Most of the
work has therefore been carried out by members of the Area Health
Staff, particularly Health Visitors at clinics. Apart from the
display of posters and leaflets 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 nonflammable
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. In addition,
as I mentioned in last year's Annual Report, we have visited Old
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