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Cancer of the Womb. As this disease often occurs at the change of life, any
abnormal signs should not be treated with indifference, but medical advice sought.
Cancer of the Skin. A tumour involving the skin, or an ulceration lasting some
time, suggests this disease.
Remember that cancer in its early stages is almost invariably unaccompanied
by pain.
Immediate Recognition is most important. Don't wait for pain.
(Signed) H. W. BARNES, Medical Officer of Health.
Respiratory Diseases.—276 deaths were due to bronchitis,
244 to pneumonia (all forms), and 31 to other respiratory
diseases, as compared with 417 bronchitis, 434 pneumonia
(all forms), and 26 other respiratory diseases during 1922.
Violent deaths (excluding Suicide). —76 deaths are
classified under this heading.
Suicide.—27 persons committed suicide, as compared
with 19 in 1922.
INFANTILE MORTALITY.
The number of deaths under one year for the year 1923
was 321.
It is very satisfactory to note that the infantile mortality
rate was 56 per 1,000 births.
This low mortality was largely due to the small number
of deaths from the respiratory diseases. The number of
deaths, however, from congenital malformation, premature
birth, atrophy and other allied conditions still remains at
a high level.
The number of deaths amongst illegitimate infants
was 13.
Comparative Table Infantile Mortality.
Infantile Mortality Rate.
Year.
Camberwell.
England and Wales.
1919
89
82
1920
71
80
1921
74
83
1922
78
77
1923
56
69
It is customary to consider the value of Infant Welfare
work from the standpoint of the infantile mortality rate,
and, although I do not agree that this work has been the
one and only cause responsible for diminishing the infantile
mortality rate, I do submit that it has played an important
part.
It is worthy of notice that there is a striking coincidence
in the increase in the number of Health Visitors and the
decrease in the infantile mortality rate.
But, apart from the infantile mortality rate, the value
of the Infant "Welfare Centre and the Health Visitor lies