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Vascular Lesions of Nervous System.—This class, which
includes deaths arising from Cerebral Haemorrhage, Embolism and
Thrombosis, was responsible for a total of 108 deaths. The age
distribution was as follows:-4 between 25 and 45 years; 23 between
45 and 65 years; 40 between 65 and 75 years and 41 from 75 years
upwards.
Fifty-six deaths occurred in East-Greenwich, 16 in West
Greenwich, 3 in St. Nicholas, Deptford and 33 in Charlton and
Kidbrooke.
Heart Disease.—Under the new classifications this disease has
been divided into three sub-headings: (a) Coronary Disease,
Angina, (b) Hypertension with Heart Disease, and (c) Other Heart
Disease.
The total deaths occasioned by these amounted to 287 compared
with a figure of 291 for 1951 and, as usual, the deaths from this
class occupied the principal place in the classification of diseases.
Comparable figures for the years 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949 and 1950
were 240, 283, 223, 250 and 273 respectively.
Diseases of the Respiratory System.—There were
altogether 133 deaths from these diseases, Bronchitis accounting
for 74 and Pneumonia (all forms) for 48.
Of the total deaths, 5 were of children under the age of 5 years
and 94 were in respect of persons 65 years and over.
The distribution locally was 55 in East Greenwich, 33 in West
Greenwich, 3 in St. Nicholas, Deptford, and 42 in Charlton and
Kidbrooke.
Influenza.—Only one death was attributed to this cause
during the year, thus showing a decrease of 18 from that of the
previous year.
Deaths from Violence.—These numbered 35 including 6
from Motor Vehicle Accidents, 9 from Suicide and the remainder
being accounted for under the heading of ' All Other Accidents.'
Deaths from Motor Vehicle Accidents show a decrease of 3
from those of the previous year, while suicide shows an advance
of one.
Much has been made, in recent times, of the serious nature of
the increase in deaths due to cancer and heart disease but there
has often been a tendency for the case, important though it may
be, to be overstated.