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35
females). The age distribution was as follows :—3 between 25
and 45 years; 8 between 45 and 65 years; 32 between 65 and 75
years and 53 from 75 years upwards.
This year's total of 96 indicates a rise of 6 over that for 1961.
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
314 (164 males—150 females) compared with a figure of 297 for
1961, and as usual, the deaths from this category occupied the
principal place in the classification of diseases in that they formed
over 32% 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 coronary
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
168 deaths from these diseases. Bronchitis accounting for
92 and Pneumonia (all forms) 70. The total shows an increase
of 32 over that of the previous year; deaths from Pneumonia rose
by 4 and those from Bronchitis increased by 28.
Of the total deaths, 11 were children under one year of age
and 131 were in respect of persons 65 years and over.