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6
It is, nevertheless, expedient in the light of other difficulties
that for purposes of war economy an abridged
report only should be issued.
This curtailment must not be interpreted as indicating
that the public health services are in any respect
at a standstill, if anything, the services are in greater
demand under war stress, and the portents are that the
services of public health generally will pass through a
severe testing time. Great advances in medicine were
made during the last war and similar advances in the
light of experience during this war will be just as
important. The knowledge we shall acquire will be
gathered from harsh experiences, but at least we shall
have a sure foundation of accurate information on which
to base post-war planning and reconstruction, as
assuredly there will be many adjustments and developments
in the field of public health work to meet
problems of changed social circumstances and conditions.
The health resistance of the nation to war conditions
gives rise to great satisfaction, and not a little speculation
as to the factors mainly responsible for the almost
uncanny immunity to ill-health displayed by the nation.
}\ e have not far to seek for one factor, and that is the
important part played by health administration in the
pre-war years, during which greatly improved health
standards have been inculcated in the parental mind,
thus creating a health conscience. Higher standards of
nutrition, clothing and hygiene have been attained to
the great benefit of the youth of the present day, and the
great advances in provision of maternity, clinic and
hospital provision, public assistance, health training,
have all played their part in preparing this generation to
withstand the rigours of war.
The fact, however, that all's well on the health front
must not be allowed to foster complacency. We must
he prepared for war conditions to repent all the known
factors which past experience has taught us are favourable
for the spread of infection and which are productive
of epidemics. We must be prepared for history to
repeat .itself.
I here was no excessive cause of sickness, invalidity,
or mortality in Bromley during 1940, apart from measles