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10
Cancer and Malignant Disease.
108 deaths were attributed to this cause, the largest number, as usual, occurring over 25
years of age. This is a decrease of 12 from the figures for last year. The cause of these
diseases are being investigated by medical men in every part of the world, and by a special
commission in England—so far no definite conclusions have been arrived at.
The following table is compiled to show the different parts affected, the age periods in smaller
divisions as well as the sex.
A distinction has been made between sarcoma and cancer or carcinoma proper. The origin of
the two is quite different. The former arises in the deeper tissues such as muscle, bone, etc.,
whereas the latter is derived from the skin or epithelial tissues and those parts which are really
prolonguations of the skin, such as the larynx and the alimentary canal including the
œsophagus, stomach and rectum. This, which is generally understood when the word cancer is
used, most commonly affects people in later life, whereas sarcoma belongs to the earlier periods
and is not uncommon in infants and young children where ordinary cancer is practically
unknown. From the table it would seem that cancer of the rectum affects male and female
about equally, and that while men are more liable to cancer of the stomach and tongue, women
have practically a monopoly of cancer of the genital organs and breast.
A table like this will be useful when continued for a number cf years.
Table J. Cancer.
Forms of the disease.
All
Ages.
15 to
20.
20 to
25.
25 to
35.
35 to
45.
45 to
55.
55 to
65.
65 to
75.
75 to
85.
85 and
upwards
Male.
Female.
Male.
Female.
male.
Female.
Male.
Female.
Male.
Female.
Male.
Female.
Male.
Female.
Male.
Female.
Sex.
Female.
Male.
15
...
...
...
...
3
2
1
1
Cancer of rectum
...
...
...
1
3
3
...
1
...
...
2
1
Cancer of stomach
11
...
...
2
3
...
2
1
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Cancer of Bowel
5
...
...
2
1
...
...
...
1
...
1
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Cancer of liver
...
...
1
2
2
3
...
2
1
11
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Cancer of breast
12
...
...
...
1
2
...
5
4
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Cancer of female, pelvis and
uterus
25
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
3
...
...
2
4
6
...
...
...
...
10
...
...
Cancer of œsophagus
6
...
...
2
2
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
1
...
...
...
1
9
Cancer of mouth, tongue and
pharynx, cheek and lower
jaw
...
...
...
1
...
...
...
...
1
...
5
1
1
...
...
...
...
...
Cancer of other parts
7
2
2
2
1
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Malignant disease, kind not
stated.
1
3
...
1
...
1
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
4
Sarcoma
...
...
1
...
...
...
...
1
...
...
1
...
1
...
...
...
...
...
Totals
108
4
10
5
...
...
1
...
4
13
15
23
7
...
1
...
2
8
15
Heart Disease.
159 deaths were due to this cause, the numbers for 1901 and 1902 being 157. Only
organic disease of the heart is here included, indefinite disorders, such as heart failure, fatty
heart, etc., being put under the head of " all other causes."
Suicides.
7 parishioners committed suicide during 1903, 1 by cutting throat, 2 by hanging, 1 by
poison, 1 by railway train, 1 by illegal operation, and 1 by shooting.
Accidents.
There were 98 deaths due to this cause as against 108 in 1902.
Other Violent Deaths.
There was 1 cause of wilful murder and 1 case of manslaughter.