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10
important phase in the unification of the health services of
London, it being the first instance where municipal premises
have been used for the health services of the central
authority. The Council's scheme for the orthopaedic treatment
of children requiring such treatment has continued to
expand, works very satisfactorily, and is now regarded as one
of the most important branches of the service. The attendances
at the welfare centres have increased.
Health propaganda work continues to be developed, and
during the year the Council co-operated in the general Health
Week organised throughout the country in the first week of
October. No exhibition was organised, and reliance was
placed entirely upon the use of the cinema picture, the
lecture, and the health play for propaganda work. There is
a very real desire for information of this sort in Woolwich,
and the results are most encouraging. It has been sometimes
said that the organisation of a Health Week leads to
the disorganisation of the department for some weeks. In
my opinion those who say this fail to appreciate that propaganda
is an essential permanent adjunct to health work,
that it is a movement which has come to stay and that its
organisation is as much the work of the department as the
supervision of infectious disease or any other established
service. During the week the Town Hall was packed full at
each session, and many had to be refused admission owing to
lack of room.
In conclusion, I must acknowledge the help, consideration,
and kindness which has been shewn to me by members
of the Council, and express my appreciation for the able and
conscientious manner in which the staff of the department
have carried out their work. To the Members of the Council,
and particularly to those of the Health Committees, I am
deeply indebted, and take this opportunity of expressing my
thanks.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
JOHN MACMILLAN.