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Each year has seen a widening of the range of subjects dealt with
in these talks given to different audiences and in the various exhibits
shown, so that although this work started essentially as part of the clean
food campaign it is becoming part of a much larger programme of environmental
health education, in which clean food now is only one of the
subjects dealt with. 21 talks were given to audiences at the maternity and
child welfare clinics and 12 to audiences who came to the Public Health
Office. It has been the practice for the Public Health Committee to
stage an exhibit of health subjects at the Delegate Conference. Much
more on these lines is now being done as similar material has been shown
at the public libraries, clinics and cinemas. Other cinema publicity
was used on six occasions. The local press are being very helpful and 32
reports have been accepted in newspapers and in technical papers. This
aspect of the work of those in the Health Department is something which
must grow until perhaps it becomes their main activity.
Infections as such today are taking up that much less time although
unfortunately there is still no fall in the incidence of the food borne
infections; but even here although the Inspectors have their responsibilities
in supervising the equipment and the cleanliness of the premises in which
the food is handled, it is only an educated public opinion demanding
high standards and enlightened personnel working at all premises that
can ensure these desirable standards being reached. In regard to clean
air, a subject to which much attention is likely to be given in these coming
years, it is certain that no real action can be taken in advance of public
opinion. Before there can be any question of authorities designating
any particular locality as a smoke control area with the use of the compulsory
powers given them by the Act, it is hoped that a knowledgeable
public will already have done much towards ridding the district of the
smoke from the domestic chimney because they will have learned the
benefits of using smokeless fuels, not only to their neighbours but to
themselves. It is expected that with the spread of this knowledge the
time will come when anyone having to change the heating appliances in
any room in his house will have this point in mind. In recent years
particular attention has been given to the subject of accidents in the home.
Many of these accidents are preventable. To bring about a reduction
in these will not only save lives, and pain and suffering, but will also enable
the hospital staffs and doctors to devote their time and attention to others
in need of their help. This too is another matter about which the public
must be made aware by having their attention drawn to the special risks
of falls in the elderly, to the risks of children mistaking poisons for
sweets, to the ways in which burns and scalds can be reduced. Public
Health Inspectors, Health Visitors and Home Nurses, all who enter
homes, have a part to play in this campaign to reduce these accidents.
Although most of the vital statistics which are used as standards of the
healthiness of a community or a country are improving, the years since
the last war have seen a rapid deterioration in the position brought
about by some diseases. The incidence of the so called pyschosomatic
illnesses is mounting rapidly. Coronary disease is responsible for steadily
increasing numbers of deaths of men who should have many years
active life ahead of them. Deaths from cancer of the lung, especially