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
Holborn 1925
Report for the year 1925 of the Medical Officer of Health
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The Secretary of the Hospital has kindly supplied the following information of the work at the Clinic during the year 1925:—
| Number of sessions held | 46 | |
| Number of patients' attendances | 327 | |
| Number of fillings | 43 | |
| Number of scalings | 16 | |
| Number of extraction cases | Without anaesthetic | 10 |
| With local anæsthetic | 42 | |
| With gas | 31 | |
| Number of teeth extracted | 165 | |
| Number of dentures (including repairs) | 25 | |
| Number of dressings | 49 | |
| Number for advice | 40 | |
| Number of denture visits | 64 | |
| Number of new patients | 81 | |
| Year. | Number of Deaths. | Death.rate per 1,000. |
|---|---|---|
| 1921 | 56 | 1.28 |
| 1922 | 58 | 1.30 |
| 1923 | 59 | 1.36 |
| 1924 | 70 | 1.61 |
| 1925 | 66 | 1.52 |
| Average — 5 years | 62 | 1.41 |
During the year 1925, 66 deaths were recorded as due to cancer, equal to a
rate of 1.52 per thousand. In the year 1905 the death rate from cancer in the
Borough was 0.92; in 1914, 1.61; the decennial average rate was 1.08 for the
10 years 1905.1914, and 1.37 for the 10 years 1915.1924.
It will thus be seen that there is apparently an increase in the cancer death
rate, and although some part of this increase, if not all, may reasonably be
attributed to improved facilities for diagnosis, the figures, nevertheless, indicate
the seriousness of and high mortality from malignant diseases.
No certain cure has yet been found and the best hope at present is in the
direction of early diagnosis and surgical treatment.
During the year the distribution was continued of a special leaflet giving early
signs and symptoms of cancer. Arrangements were also continued for this leaflet to
be placed in "Please Take One" boxes in the Public Libraries, the Public Health
Office, and the underground conveniences for both men and women. A large
number of the leaflets were so distributed and it is hoped that in this way a large
part of the day population was reached.
F