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
Woolwich 1918
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health 1918
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Females.
| Seat of Primary Disease | Aver. 1903 -5 | Aver. 1906 -10 | Aver. 1911 -15 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head and face | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 1 | 2 | – |
| Mouth and tongue | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 1 | – | 2 |
| Pharynx, oesophagus, larynx and neck | 1.7 | 1.4 | 2.0 | – | 2 | 6 |
| Pleura, lung, mediastinum | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 1 | – | – |
| Stomach and Pylorus | 5.7 | 7.6 | 9.0 | 5 | 11 | 7 |
| Intestines (excluding rectum) | 0.7 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4 | 7 | 8 |
| Rectum and anus | 3.0 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 7 | 2 | 3 |
| Peritoneum, omentum and liver | 7.3 | 9.0 | 8.4 | 14 | 14 | 11 |
| Kidney and bladder | — | 1.2 | 1.0 | – | 2 | 2 |
| Genital organs | 16.0 | 13.6 | 14.0 | 23 | 15 | 22 |
| Breasts | 9.7 | 8.6 | 13.6 | 14 | 12 | 14 |
| Pancreas | — | 0.2 | 0.8 | – | – | – |
| Undefined and all other | 1.4 | 2.0 | 2.8 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| 48.9 | 57.2 | 64.4 | 72 | 79 [ | 78 |
Last year had the highest recorded cancer death-rate.
The increase was chiefly in men and in oases of the face and
digestive tract from the mouth to the anus.
69. Causes of Cancer. The special inquiry into the habits
of persons suffering and dying from cancer since 1912 was continued.
For the scope of this and the standards taken, see
previous Annual Reports. The following gives the parts
affected for males and females:-
Carcinoma.
Cases specially investigated and parts affected.
| Seat of Primary Disease | Male | Females | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face, mouth, jaw and tongue | 35 | 9 | 44 |
| Pharynx, Oesophagus, Larynx and Neck | 43 | 7 | 50 |
| Stomach and Pylorus | 30 | 23 | 53 |
| Intestines (excluding Rectum) | 16 | 15 | 31 |
| Rectum and Anus | 18 | 17 | 35 |
| Liver | 9 | 4 | 13 |
| Breasts | — | 8 | 8 |
| Uterus | – | 4 | 4 |
| All other | 11 | 2 | 13 |
| 162 | 89 | 251 |