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39
The total deaths occasioned by such maladies amounted to
297 (145 males—152 females) compared with a figure of 282 for
1960, and as usual, the deaths from this category occupied the
principal place in the classification of diseases in that they formed
36% of the total deaths from all causes.
Besides being responsible for a prodigious loss of man-working
capacity in the United Kingdom amounting, it is estimated, to some
12 million week days per year, cardiovascular and atherosclerotic
diseases as a group are responsible for more deaths than any other
single cause and, as such, constitute the greatest possible challenge
to preventive medicine. The urgency of this problem becomes intensified
when it is realised that deaths from arteriosclerotic and
degenerative heart disease are mounting year by year.
Information has been given in previous reports relating to the
aetiological factors which, in the light of present day knowledge
are thought to be implicated, namely: excess of animal fat in the
diet producing a rise in serum cholesterol—the association of smoking
with heart disease—the lack of physical activity and coronar
disease and its hypothetical connection with "stress and strain."
Although the causes of heart and circulatory diseases are still
subjects of a great deal of research, the exact aetiology remains
obscure. Nevertheless, to counter some of the agencies known
to be connected with heart disabilities, it would appear to be unwise
to delay the introduction of preventive measures such as weight
reduction, restriction of the intake of animal fat, control of smoking,
introduction of regular exercise and, most important, education.
until our knowledge of cause and effect is complete.
Diseases of the Respiratory System.—There were altogether
136 deaths from these diseases. Bronchitis accounting for
64 and Pneumonia (all forms) for 66. The total shows an increase
of 13 over that of the previous year; deaths from Pneumonia decreased
by one whereas those from Bronchitis increased by 10.
Of the total deaths, 6 were children under one year of age
and 105 were in respect of persons 65 years and over.
Influenza.—There were 4 deaths attributed to this cause
during the year compared with a nil return for 1960.
Deaths from Violence.—These numbered 39 including 14
from Motor Vehicle Accidents, 9 from Suicide and the remainder
being accounted for under the heading of "All Other Accidents."
The number of deaths from Motor Vehicle Accidents increased
by 4 over that of the previous year while the figure for Suicide
decreased by a similar margin.