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diseases, the I.L.O. continues to advise and give expert guidance
regarding most diseases associated with industrial processes. Meanwhile,
under the auspices of the W.H.O. and for the benefit of all
mankind, more rapid dissemination of epidemiological data is being
achieved especially with regard to diseases such as influenza, smallpox
and paralytic poliomyelitis and the organisation's advice is
constantly sought by nations in connection with problems of vector
control and the effects of the use of persistent pesticides.
Healthwise no country today is self-sufficient and the materialisation
of a number of future potential health hazards is likely to be
precipitate. With the bewildering increase in the speed and volume
of international travel, effective countermeasures will require even
closer co-operation between the various health services both
national and international. It is to be hoped that the re-alignment
of this country's health services, already under way, will prove
equal to the task.
Alcoholism
Potentially there is danger in everything we do. Walking the
pavement, crossing the road, travelling by car, rail or aeroplane
etc., all contain an element of risk which is capable of being
presented statistically. Indulgence in pleasure is no exception and
the consumption of alcohol falls within this category.
Alcohol is one of those doubly indictable substances in that it
not only masquerades as man's ally and staunch friend but adds
over-confidence to the deception.
While many are reluctant to consider alcoholism as a disease,
the withdrawal symptoms certainly establish it as an addiction. It
would seem that persons who are particularly vulnerable are
those who for constitutional reasons or through environmental
circumstances find difficulty in adapting themselves satisfactorily to
society. Relief is sought in alcohol which, in time, proves to be
illusory in that the original problem is aggravated or becomes
replaced by one of an even more serious nature.
Many individuals arrested for drunkenness turn out to be
alcoholics but, nowadays, a more enlightened police force
recognises that, in these instances, medical rather than judicial
action is preferable. Indeed, it should be the aim to ensure the
removal of all chronic alcoholics from the confines of gaol to the
influence of socio-medical treatment facilities. Regrettably, these
are woefully inadequate.
Alcoholism is afforded very little publicity but to assume from
this that the problem is static or in any way declining would be an
error. On the contrary, evidence is accumulating that in some