[Report 1944] / Medical Officer of Health, Torquay Borough.

  • Torquay (England). Borough Council.
Date:
1944
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1944] / Medical Officer of Health, Torquay Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    6/36 (page 4)
    Above the entrance of the New York Health Department if^ the motto “ Public Health is Purchasable ” ; but the price to be paid includes something more than pounds, shillings and pence, important as these are. For there must be constant vigilance and unremitting care by the health services, by the community and by the individual. During the Tvar organisation by the community has, of necessity, been predominant, perhaps to such an extent as to make many people now assume and expect that everything needful for their well-being should be arranged and provided by others than themselves. But the self help and effort of the indivi¬ dual can never be superseded or replaced, for in many matters they constitute the paramount factor ; indeed, to cite but three of the health problems of war, the increase of illegitimacy, of venereal disease and of verminous conditions, it is at once apparent how in¬ escapable is the responsibility of individual auction. Each person, no less than the community as a whole, has an irreplaceable contribution to make to preventive m.edicine ; and without paying the price in this way it will be impossible, however hard the health services struggle and work, to ensure that the continual and remarkable advances of science accrue for the betterment of man’s estate. In conclusion, it is with appreciation that I acknowledge both the encouraging support given to me by the Chairman and Members of the Public Health Committee, and also the co-operation and helpfulness of the Medical Profession of the Borough in the inter¬ mingled work of the unusual times. To the Staff is due full credit for the results achieved, for their tireless work and loyalty have been amazingly maintained during the long, difficult struggle ; and such a record is, indeed, full of promise for the years that shall be. I have the honour to be, Your obedient Servant, / J. V. A. SIMPSON.