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21
1. Maternity Cases 386
2. Acute Illness 284
3. Long term cases 707
4. Tuberculosis 11
Total 1,388
Health Education.
Health education is an important aspect in the work of the health
department and every opportunity is used to "put over" to the public the
principles of health and hygiene and the benefits to be gained from good
healthy living. Health education is very much a personal affair and seems
to have a much greater impact when treated on an individual basis rather
than on the group. This being so, all members of the staff, doctors, health
visitors, home nurses, midwives and district public health inspectors, use
their day to day contact with the public, be it in clinic, home or place of
business. This does not mean, however, that the group approach is neglected.
The health visitors hold special classes for prospective mothers and
fathers in the clinics and judging by attendances these are very popular
and obviously of value. In addition, series of lectures suitably illustrated
with appropriate films or film strips are given to adolescent girls and boys
in the schools. These are by way of an introduction to life after school
and prepare the way for the more detailed lectures given in the clinics at
a later stage.
During the latter half of the year it became possible to resume the
health education programme, Mr. Anderton, one of the public health
inspectors, taking over on a part-time basis. The Public Health Committee
adopting the maxim that the aims of the public health service will
best be achieved by informed public opinion, sponsored the reprinting of
a brochure publicising the programme of talks on environmental hygiene,
which was circularised to local organisations and schools. 59 talks were
given during the year, the most popular choice being "The Work of the
Department," "Clean Food," "Clean Air" and "Safety in the Home."
These talks are illustrated by film strips or slides, a comprehensive library
of which has been built up enabling adaptation to different types of
audiences. In addition, poster displays and exhibits were arranged and the
customary exhibition at the Delegate Conference featured the Health of
Harrow 1934-1960, indicating amongst other things, the spectacular
decline in the mortality rates of Harrow's mothers and infants since
Harrow was formed as we now know it. Support was also given to the
Broken Glass Campaign promoted by the Royal Society for the Prevention
Accidents.