View report page

8
ance or by easy postponement. The 'skeleton in the
cupboard' has been exposed by the state and habits of
many children evacuated from our large cities. The
skeleton must not be allowed to return to the cupboard.
There still exists a widespread mental confusion in
the interpretation of the meaning of Health Services and
Medical Services. The present efficiency of the former,
built up over so many years of Local Government, must
not, in the period of re-construction, be swamped in the
consideration of present deficiencies in medical services.
It is a fundamental of health that the family should be
freed of debt and the danger of debt. The individual
must correct the present poverty of ideas of social
hygiene in its widest sense, and must exercise a little
more self-help than he has done in past years. The
urge, so prominent in the winning of the war, must continue
with the peace.
Finally I would express an earnest acknowledgment
of the help I have received from my Committees, and
from the staff, whose loyal services during these war
years has enabled me to carry on the direction of the
Health Services of the Local Authority.
I am.
Your obedient servant,
K. E. TAPPER,
Medical Officer of Health.