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Either in conjunction with each lecture or immediately afterwards, lantern
slides or cinema films were shown.
(d.) Informal Talks.—Possibly, however, the greatest development during the
year took place in connection with informal talks to local organisations and associations.
They were given on the usual meeting day at the premises of the organisation
concerned, and it was possible on most occasions to make use of the Council's
cinematograph apparatus. The speakers at the talks were all members of the
staff; assistant medical officers, health visitors and sanitary inspectors taking part
in this work. The subjects included:—"Mothercraft and Fathercraft," "Elementary
Physiology," "Diet and Digestion," and "Food Supply." Usually the programme
consisted of a twenty to thirty-minute talk, followed by question and
answer, and just to stimulate further interest in matters of health, a cinematograph
film on another subject was then shown. On two occasions, by the courtesy of the
Libraries Committee, the Council's Epidiascope was used to illustrate points in the
lectures.
There is great value in such talks. The people are in their own meeting place
and feel at home; they ask more questions than at public meetings and they ask
them more readily. Moreover, a point of contact is made with the Council's officers
—a matter of great importance in the development of health propaganda. It
should be pointed out, however, that the difficulty of adequately illustrating such
talks is the paucity of non-flam films.
(e) "Better Health—In the early part of the year a local edition of "Better
Health "was inaugurated. "Better Health "is the official organ of the Central
Council for Health Education, and local editions are now published by over 120
local authorities. The journal consists of a current copy of "Better Health " by
the Central Council to which are added two pages of local matter by the Medical
Officer of Health. The publishers supply 2,000 copies per month free, and the
Medical Officer of Health arranges for their distribution. The local "copy "has
consisted of articles on various infectious diseases, the Council's health services,
and general articles by members of the staff. The copies are distributed to the
welfare centres, libraries, schools, and a limited number are posted each month to
residents in the Borough selected at random. Contents bills are also issued by the
publishers to assist in the distribution. It was found that there was a demand
for this journal, especially at the welfare centres, and experience has shown the
wisdom of participating in this scheme. The monthly articles published by the
Central Council on personal and public health are excellent and are greatly appreciated
by those who are privileged to read them.