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72
BROMLEY BOROUGH.

No. of contacts examined during 1936 26
No. of contacts found to be positive (not included in
the above table) 1
Total No. of attendances at the Dispensary 1,788
No. of patients who received residential treatment 128
PROPAGANDA.
No intensive propaganda has been carried out by this
Local Authority for some years, and one doubts whether
advertising of services would bring any appreciable
results. I find our services, even without propaganda,
increasingly used and appreciated, and the public in
Bromley is well informed with regard to them. The
efficiency of a service is its own advertisement, and much
valuable work can be done by individual instruction and
advice, rather than by advertising the already known
advantages of prevention of disease.
When a Local Authority undertakes extensive
advertising of health services it tends to bring with it a
reaction of doubt as to the efficiency of the service. The
public will use an efficient service, but it will not use one
which produces negative results. The fact that each year
sees an increase in attendance at all clinics in Bromley is
sufficient proof that the money expended by this Local
Authority is being well spent.