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Crude Spirit Drinking
Following representations made by another borough council to the
Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee concerning the problems
associated with crude spirit drinkers, all metropolitan borough councils
were asked to advise on the extent of the problem in their area. The
views of the Medical Officer of Health on the matter were endorsed by
the Public Health Committee and submitted to the Standing Joint Committee
who decided to take no action as only two councils reported any problem.
Subsequently one of the councils concerned stated that a useful purpose
might be served by a discussion of the matter by representatives of the
two councils, and a meeting was arranged for early in 1964..
Health Education
The Council co-operated with the London County Council in a campaign
to alert the general public and young people in particular to the alarming
increase in the incidence of venereal disease. Some 425 specially prepared
posters, overprinted with the addresses of the nearest clinics, were posted
up by the Department in the sanitary conveniences of public houses, licensed
clubs, cafes, dance halls and industrial canteens.
A lecture was given at the London Hospital on 5th February by a consultant
venereologist and a social worker in a V.D. clinic to invited
Stepney persons. On 14th February a combined lecture/film was given by
the Medical Officer of Health in conjunction with the Archdeacon of London,
under the auspices of the Stepney Youth Committee, at Chapter House, St.
Paul's Cathedral. The audience consisted largely of heads of schools
and youth club leaders. From this meeting a series of talks on venereal
disease was arranged, at the request of the Headmistress of a Girls'
Grammar School in the Borough. These took the form of informal instruction
on the anatomy and physiology of the sexual functions of the body.
Discussions followed on the venereal disear.es, their mode of presentation,
and prevention. The moral values implicit in the relationship of sex,
marriage and society were brought out in the series. Some extremely
interesting 'consumer reports' were forthcoming in essays on the talks
written by the pupils. This series of talks will be repeated as health
educator, teachers and pupils found the project worthwhile. The view
has been expressed that it is unfortunate that a similar approach cannot
be made a part of the curricula of all schools desiring to participate.
Lectures on the work of the Public Health Department and on environmental
hygiene were given to trainee nurses and to other groups of women.
The operation of the Council's fourth Smoke Control Order was given
intensive publicity in that part of the Borough covered by the Order.
The Department's poster-boards were used to display various posters
during the year, as also were the Council's official notice boards and
those affixed to lamp-columns in street markets in the Borough. Each
month a different topic is chosen, either to coincide with a national or
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