View report page

6
shall not deprive a family of the fundamentals of a sound dietary. It is
to be hoped that such measures have come to stay and that they will play
their part, together with the proposed extensive housing programme, to
ensure that each family is suitably housed and fed. To the assurance of an
adequate diet and proper dwelling must be added the need for right
working conditions. Social medicine it would seem has as its aims the
building up of the health of the community. To-day, in our ignorance,
this is limited to taking those few steps which can be taken to prevent
disease, in detecting disease in those in whom it has not been prevented,
and in the treatment of those who have fallen. At some future date,
increased knowledge might lead to the conception of positive health,
understanding by this not merely a state of absence of ill-health or even
one of a feeling of well-being but a state of vital activity which protects us
from such influences for ill as surround us.
During this year, too, was taken, perhaps, the most important step
in the prevention of venereal diseases, namely, the removal of the taboo
which had prevented discussion of the subject and therefore dissemination
of knowledge. Whatever benefits might follow the operation of the
provisions of Regulation 33b they will not assume the importance of
those which will follow on venereal diseases in future being considered
and referred to merely as one of the many communicable diseases.
In the Ministry of Health Circular 2,773, which deals with the subject
of the Report for 1942, it is requested that for reasons of National
security population figures be not included.
I have the honour to be,
Mrs. Roberts and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
CARYL THOMAS,
Medical Officer of Health.
Council Offices,
Harrow-on-the-Hill.
June 11 th, 1943.