Hand washing medals

Two wonderful Medals from Ann Barlow. she said they had been in a jug for many years in her mothers house.
Sponsored by LIFEBUOY to encourage handwashing and thus soap use.
Inspired.
"Clean hands campaign"
FOR MERIT
PRO VALETUDINE (which means FOR HEALTH).

just found this paragraph on the interweb...

"When Lever Brothers launched their new Lifebuoy soap in 1894, it was heavily promoted as the world’s first ‘health’ soap with antiseptic properties containing an anti-bacterial disinfectant (carbolic acid) offering protection from disease as well as providing hygiene for the whole family. Lever Brothers choose the name Lifebuoy due to its life-saving properties. In 1895 Lever Brothers started to market their Lifebuoy soap in America and the product proved so popular that in 1897 they built their first American manufacturing plant in Boston. Lifebuoy soap was also sold in countries across the British Empire as well. Today, Lifebuoy soap is still sold around the world amongst other competing brands.

Lever Brothers launched their Clean Hands campaign in 1926 to educate the public about the importance of hand washing to defend against disease and poor hygiene. The ‘hand washing’ campaign extended into school activities and promotional clubs. The use of badges and Certificate of Merit were strong promotional incentives too.
The badge depicts a stylised lifebuoy and the wording PRO VALETUDINE (For Health). These badges were issued with both buttonhole studs and brooch-style pins.
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Reference:
www.unilever.com/aboutus/ourhistory/1920s/ (Small note about Lever Brothers’ Clean Hands campaign."
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