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(a) Cancer of the Lung responsible for 136 deaths (mostly in men)
in Finsbury from 1956 1960 has increased to alarming extent everywhere,
but the incidence has been higher in the Borough than in most other
places In spite of its recognised association with smoking we
unfortunately remain ignorant of its basic causation-
(b) Motor Traffic Accidents responsible for 19 deaths Although
the problem is not within the normal purview of Public Health, one
cannot but be concerned at this wastage of human lives,
(c) Suicide responsible for 28 deaths These deaths must surely
be evidence of our failure to establish a firm integration of all
members of the community and to deal adequately with mental instability
in our midst
GENERAL HEALTH
I am perfectly satisfied that the general health of Finsbury is
not only good but better than it has ever been, and at least as good
as that which prevails in similar areas, Nevertheless, I regret that
no statistical evidence is available to support this view Although
no practical and real measure of health may be possible,, yet more
information ought to be available about the extent of illnesses and
disabilities occurring in the area, for without it Health services are
left without a guide as to the directions which their efforts should
follow This isthe re1teration of a similar cry 150 years ago, which
led to the present system of death registration which is now insufficient
for our advanced needs
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Diphtheria reappeared in two outbreaks in 1958 ana 1959 respect
ively after many years absence from the Borough It however adopted
the cloak of a mild infection and would seem again to have been
eradicated
Finsbury nas been fortunate in that the number of cases of
Poliomyelitis have been comparatively few although in some residual
disabilities have been marked
In spite of a continuing rather nigh death rate from Tuberculosis
which may be partly due to extraneous causes, I am satisfied that
complete control of this disease, once so rampant, is gradually coming
about-
Whooping Cough is no longer a serious threat to infant life,
though on occasions it has left various chest disabilities in its wake
Dysentery and Measles have continued to cause considerable
nuisance though the attacks have usually been mild-
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