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HEALTH EDUCATION
During the year work on the education of the general public in matters of health and
hygiene continued by means of personal communication between Public Health Department
staff and individuals, talks to Associations illustrated by topical film strips, poster publicity,
and leaflet distribution.
The principal topics during the year for poster publicity were prevention of colds and
influenza, food hygiene, the benefits of sleep, fresh air and exercise, the danger from broken
milk bottles, and home safety, i.e. prevention of fire accidents and accidents to old people by
falling.
In addition a poster concerning cigarette smoking and cancer prepared by the Central
Council for Health Education having been brought to the notice of the Public Health Committee
was referred to the Divisional Executive with the suggestion that it might be useful
for schools. The poster was displayed in the schools of the Borough and comments obtained
afterwards from staff and children were very interesting in showing the reactions to sensational
publicity. The children appeared to take this in their stride, but it is doubtful whether
the poster was likely to influence them very much either way with regard to developing the
habit of smoking. The staff appeared to consider that the older children would have this
reaction and were on the whole adverse to the showing of this type of propaganda poster
to younger children.
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