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1969: "Whereas 7 deaths occurred during the year from respiratory
tuberculosis, no fewer than 189 persons died from bronchial
carcinoma."
1970: "185 of Hammersmith residents died during 1970 from bronchial
carcinoma, the figure for the previous year being 189. In
recent years one has compared these figures with the deaths
from pulmonary tuberculosis Which numbered nine and seven
respectively. The number of deaths from tuberculosis has
been substantially reduced since the advent of specific
therapy. The means to substantially reduce the number
of deaths from bronchial carcinoma are also available. Why
then are preventive measures not adopted?"
The Council of the London Borough of Hammersmith has always supported the
concept of Health Education. The prevention of the 'tobacco diseases'
in a smoking society undoubtedly presents special difficulties, but it
is encouraging that the role of smoking in the causation of bronchial
carcinoma, coronary thrombosis and bronchitis is now generally accepted,
and that efforts to combat smoking has the blessing of those in authority.
These efforts must not only be continued, but pursued with greater vigour,
if all the possible health dividends are to be obtained.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE:
Immunisation against measles was brought into general use in Hammersmith
during 1968. Although the figure of incidence of measles in the Borough
last year was at 624, disappointing, there has apart from this been a
reduction in the incidence of measles each year since 1965. The figure
of 283 during the year 1971 is the lowest so far attained and underlines
the benefits which could result from a larger number of children being
vaccinated. Similar considerations apply to other infectious diseases and
in this connection it is noteworthy that for the first time since the
inception of the London Borough of Hammersmith, a case of diphtheria, in
fact two cases, were notified during 1971. Both cases were connected,
the original case being infected outside the Borough. When the occurrence
of these cases became public, heavy demands for immunisation were made
on local clinics. Routine immunisation, both primary and booster, of
all eligible children is a much more efficient safequard.
The incidence of both dysentery and food poisoning was too high during
1971, and here the involvement of the age group 15 to 44 is particularly
significant and underlines the need for scrupulous personal hygiene in
relation to the handling, processing, cooking, consumption and sale of
food.
TUBERCULOSIS:
Once again the reports of the Consultant Chest Physicians at both the
Hammersmith and Fulham Chest Clinics provide a detailed picture of the
incidence of Tuberculosis in the Borough during 1971, and as in previous
years the implications of population movement are referred to. At the
beginning of December, both Chest Physicians attended along with colleagues,
or were represented, at a meeting at this Town Hall which was called
specifically to review the situation in regard to tuberculosis in
Hammersmith. The meeting was also attended by the Directors of the Mass
Radiography Units serving both the North and South of the Borough,
Consultants from the Medical Research Council, then involved in the
schools in the Borough as a result of the National Tuberculin Survey, as
well as your own Senior Medical and Nursing Officers.
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