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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| All Cancer Cases Per cent | Cancer of Mouth and Throat Per cent | Cancer of other Parts Per cent | Control Cases (Non-Cancer) Per cent. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive alcohol drinkers | 34 | 45 | 24 | 19 |
| ,, smokers | 42 | 71 | 22 | 22 |
| ,, tea drinkers | 31 | 27 | 34 | 31 |
| Constipation | 25 | — | — | 13 |
ALCOHOLISM.
70. There were three deaths from alcoholism and 6 from
cirrhosis of the liver, making a total of 9 deaths probably
due to alcohol, compared with 18, 31, 45, 38, and 22, in the
five preceding years.
Of the 9 deaths, 5 were males and 4 females.
The rapid diminution of alcoholism during the past
three years is a strong argument for continuing the restriction
in the sale of alcoholic drinks which began in 1916.
71. The death-rate from alcoholism, peripheral neuritis
and cirrhosis of the liver was 0.06, which is by far the lowest
rate recorded for Woolwich.
Syphilis.
72, There were 8 deaths from Syphilis, compared with 9, 9,
6, 5, and 7, in the five preceding years. One of these occurred
in a public institution. Only one was an infant under one year.
There were in addition 26 deaths from general paralysis, ta???es
dorsalis (locomotor ataxy) and aneurism (diseases which are considered
to be due to syphilis) compared with 23, 27, 17, and 14,
in the four preceding years. Contrary to general expectation
there is no sign of increase of this disease owing to the War.
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM.
(Inflammation of the eyes of the new-born. The bad
eases are usually due to Venereal Disease in a parent).
31