View report page

- 5 -
Why do we connect these deaths with smoking? A number of investigations
are being carried out at present which started many years ago. For example, I am
included in a survey of many thousands of doctors which commenced in 1951. At the
very beginning every doctor stated whether he was a smoker or not and how many
cigarettes he smoked or whether he smoked cigars or a pipe.
At present from the number of deaths which already have taken place the
investigators find that a doctor aged 35 and over has a 15 per cent chance of dying
before reaching the age of 65 if he is a non-smoker. This is bad enough , but a doctor
who decides to smoke 25 or more cigarettes a day will step up his chances of dying
before the age of 65 to 33 per cent. Is it really Worth it?
What is the cause of lung cancer amongst cigarette smokers? We are unable
to give a complete answer. This may be given in a few years time or indeed it may
remain a secret for over, but that is no reason for ignoring the danger.
A hundred years ago Dr. John Snow found when investigating an outbreak of
cholera in the City that nearly all those who died had drunk water from the Broad Street
Pump Well but he was not able to say what was in the water which caused the disease.
The discovery of the cholera germ through improved bacteriological technique had to
wait many years but it would have been very shortsighted not to have acted on the
evidence available at the time. In fact the handle of the Pump was removed and the
local outbreak of cholera was brought to an end.
I am pleased to have this opportunity of thanking Councillor Mr. J.D. Sivill,
Chairman of the Public Health Committee , and the Members of the Committee for their
help and encouragement during the year. I would also like to thank the other Chief
Officers of the Council and their staffs for their assistance and my particular thanks are
due to my own staff for their loyal assistance and efficient support at all times.
I have the honour to be ,
Your obedient Servant,
S.A. BOYD,
Medical Officer of Health