Public Health in Great Britain During the War

Abstract

THE annual reports of the Ministry of Health were during the period of the War. The Ghiet feaical Officer, with the assistance of his calhas now issued a comprehensive report 4he period of hostilities between the years 1 39-45. It is an important and inspiring document, and whether as a social, historical or scientific commentary is deserving of close study by all who have an interest in organised human achievement of a positive and constructive kind-an achievement carried through, in this instance, during a period of sustained hazard and unparalleled difficulty. We would differ slightly from its author when he says: “That, after these six years of unprecedented strain alike upon the nation and upon the medical resources of the realm, the state of the public health should be as good as it is to-day is indeed a miracle”. A miracle is strictly something due to supernatural agency. The state of the public health can be traced to the advance ment of knowledge, to human planning and endeavour and to a number of natural causes which are now better understood than at any time in our previous history.