London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Battersea 1902
Report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea for the year 1903
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TABLE XIX.
| Situation. | Males. | Females. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mouth and Jaw | 7 | – | 7 |
| Larynx ... | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Stomach and Œsophagus | 6 | 14 | 20 |
| Liver | 6 | 9 | 15 |
| Bowels ... | 2 | – | 2 |
| Rectum... | 7 | 8 | 15 |
| Bladder... | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Breast ... | – | 23 | 23 |
| Uterus ... | – | 18 | 18 |
| Ovary ... | – | 4 | 4 |
| Thorax ... | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Abdomen | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| Other situations | 12 | 6 | 18 |
| Totals | 50 | 91 | 141 |
At the present time Cancer is, unfortunately, beyond the
scope of preventive medicine. Practically nothing is known
of the conditions which give rise to the disease, and until
something is known of the causes, nothing can be done in the
Way of prevention. Cancer research is now being vigorously
prosecuted all over the world, and we may be on the eve of
some great discovery which will throw light on our present
ignorance. Unfortunately, the most recent research appears
to discredit the parasite theory, and holds out no hope for
preventive medicine.