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(d) Talks to Selected Audiences.—An extremely popular part of the
Council's service is the giving of talks to selected audiences at their own place of
meeting. At the beginning of each winter notices offering talks on health subjects,
with or without suitable health films, are sent to Guilds, Friendly Societies, Church
Societies, Clubs and other organisations of this nature. In recent years there has
been an increasing demand, particularly in the number of talks to Friendly Societies,
whose members are anxious and keen to be educated in health matters, in accordance
with their aims. The subject matter of the talk varies. Sometimes it is about the
Council's health services, sometimes it is on preventive medicine and sometimes it is
on disease. The talks are given by the members of the staff-—the Medical Officers,
Sanitary Inspectors, Health Visitors and Tuberculosis Visitors.
(e) Cinema Projector.—The 16 mm. film is now, for all practical purposes,
the standard film for education. As such health propaganda films are now available
in increasing numbers, the Council decided to buy a Gaumont-British machine
for showing silent and sound films of this size. It has been used on many occasions
during the year and is proving a valuable addition to the Council's equipment for
health education.
(/) Films.—A silent 16mm. film of the Council's health services was completed
during the year by the Eltham Amateur Cinematograph Society. It is in four
parts and deals with Maternity and Child Welfare, Tuberculosis, Housing, and
Environmental Services. It is used to illustrate talks on the Council's health services
to selected audiences and has proved of great value in this respect. Two other 16 mm.
films were purchased—" The Red Army," a sound film dealing with the bed bug
problem, and " The Empty Bed," a silent film on Diphtheria Immunisation. Other
films have been hired from time to time to illustrate lectures and talks.
(g) Cookery Classes.—Cookery classes, first started in the year 1934, in
connection with the Tuberculosis Dispensary, were continued during the year. To
the wives and mothers of the tuberculous the provision of cheap yet nutritious meals
is one of the most difficult problems they have to face, and in order to assist them
m this matter demonstrations are held at the Tuberculosis Dispensary at Maxey
Road every week. A demonstrator is loaned by the South Metropolitan Gas Company.
A demonstration meter shows how much the actual cooking has cost in
terms of pence. Advice as to the actual purchase of food, how to prepare it, cook it
and serve it, is given at these meetings, and in these ways it is shown that it is unnecessary
to buy expensive food in order to obtain appetising, tempting and palatable
dishes. The cooked dishes are sold at about half-cost to those attending the classes.
The Tuberculosis Care Committee provide cups of tea and biscuits at each meeting.
The nett cost to the Council for food provided during the year was £3 4s. 2d. The
number attending was 20 and the number of attendances was 272. There were 44
meetings.
(h) Central Council for Health Education.—This Council exist in their
own words, to " (a) promote and encourage education and research in the science