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Free Washing Facilities in Public Conveniences
Facilities for free handwashing are available in Kew Bridge
(Ladies'), Kew Bridge (Men's), High Road (Men's) and Turnham Green
(Ladies') Public Conveniences, paper hand towels and liquid soap in
tilting dispensers being issued to each.
The scheme was designed in the first place in order that food
handlers, such as roundsmen or hawkers, could find it easy to
maintain personal hygiene when working for lengthy periods of time
away from their shops or homes, although as a general public health
measure it is a good thing for all, and the citizens who pay for
the service in their rates can benefit from it not only through the
greater safety of their food when delivered by uncontaminated hands,
hut also through the increase in their personal security by
themselves taking advantage of the service.
During 1952, 1,900 paper towels and 10 pints of liquid soap
were issued, showing a limited use of the service. In addition,
those who preferred linen hand towels and tablet soap were able to
hire these at a cost of 3d each, and in the same conveniences 8,269
of these towels were also used; the use of this service appears to
have increased during the year.
HEALTH PROPAGANDA
The education of the Public in Health Matters was continued
throughout the year by means of poster displays, leaflet
distribution, conversations with food handlers in dairies, grocers'
shops, butchers' shops, cafes, school canteens and factories, and
also by means of talks to both small ana large groups. it is
noticed that at group meetings there are always questioners who
have remained unaware of the work of the Public Health Department,
in spite of past publicity, and of many of the rules of positive
health, showing that continued propaganda on hygiene is most
necessary.
There is no doubt that poster publicity has become somewhat
wearisome to the general public. They are blinded with admonitions
to buy this or go there or drink that, and it quite often occurs
that a member of the public, asked his opinion of some particular
poster or newspaper advertisement which he has looked at every day,
may reply truthfully that he has never seen it. And so, to be sure
of getting propaganda over, there is no doubt the technique of
discussion In small groups with plenty of give and take between
teacher and taught, is the most useful.
The special propaganda campaign for the use of the Mass X-Ray
Unit has already been mentioned on another page of this Report.
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