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33
females). The age distribution was as follows:—1 between 15 and
25 years, 3 between 25 and 45 years; 19 between 45 and 65 years;
39 between 65 and 75 years and 54 from 75 years upwards.
This year's total of 116 indicates a rise of 25 over that for
1959 and the increase was wholly sustained by the "over 65 years"
group.
Heart Disease.—Under the new classification 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 such maladies amounted to
282 (143 males—139 females) compared with a figure of 278 for
1959, and as usual, the deaths from this category occupied the
principal place in the classification of diseases in that they formed
30.4% of the total deaths from all causes.
The speed and strain of modern civilisation is thought to
have a great bearing on these so-called "stress" diseases but stress,
which is recognised as a predisposing factor in the increased incidence
of cardiac disability is a somewhat vague term. However,
some of the following circumstances undoubtedly give rise to
"stress" as we understand it today.
Living Standards.—As living standards rise, not unnaturally
there is an increase in "high-living" which generally goes
hand in hand with bigger meals and an increased intake of
fatty foods. This in turn gives rise to over-weight and obesity.
Single mindedness.—The concentration on a narrow field
or single motive constitutes a "stress". All classes are susceptible
from the housewife or humble clerk to the managing
director.
Indolence.—Inactivity, perhaps largely enforced, by
persons having to travel long distances to work, to conferences
or to customers by car or train, results in muscles being unable
to respond to a call for unusual effort and, with the heart,
there is often no recovery.
Smoking.—Over recent years there has been a substantial
rise in tobacco consumption. Nicotine is known as a cardiac
poison which in many instances blunts the desire for physical
effort.
Modern Living.—An environment of noise, petty irritations,
current news, jobs with a time limit, results in an
increase in adrenalin demand. Eventually the environment
wins and there is a breakdown.