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40
years it is necessary to take into account deaths from all three subdivisions.
The total deaths occasioned by these amounted to 273
compared with a figure of 250 for 1949 and, as usual, the deaths from
this class occupied the principal place in the classification of diseases.
Comparable figures for the years 1945, 1946,1947 and 1948 were 226,
240, 283 and 223 respectively.
Such figures indicate the increasing seriousness of Heart Disease
but for some obscure reason, the disease generally is not viewed with
the gravity it warrants.
Rheumatic infections in children often give rise to heart troubles
in later years and there is ample evidence that the poorer class
children are more susceptible to these conditions and also that the
incidence rises with the degree of malnutrition and overcrowding.
It follows, therefore, that in order to obviate rheumatic diseases with
the resultant heart affections, the first step is an emphasis on preventive
measures and an improvement in social conditions.
Diseases of the Respiratory System.— There were altogether
91 deaths from these diseases, Bronchitis accounting for 59
and Pneumonia (all forms) for 32. Of the total deaths, 53 were of
persons 65 years and over, thus indicating the serious nature of
these diseases to the elderly.
Six children under one year of age died as a result of this class
of disease and in any attempt at reducing Infant Mortality this is
one of the obstacles to be surmounted.
The distribution of the deaths was, 44 in East Greenwich, 15 in
West Greenwich, 8 in St. Nicholas, Deptford, and 24 in Charlton and
Kidbrooke.
Deaths From Violence.— These numbered 32, including 6
from Motor Vehicle Accidents, 5 from Suicide and the remainder
being accounted for under the heading of ' All Other Accidents '.
Deaths from Motor Vehicle Accidents show a slight increase of
one and Suicide a decrease of 7 from those of the previous year.