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93
live for years in the enjoyment of good health. Unfortunately these form a small
minority of patients passing from sanatoria. The convalescent frequently breaks
down in health often through lack of good nourishment, owing to the difficulty of
obtaining suitable employment.
In the Annual Report previously referred to, reference was made to the
experimental workshop promoted by the Central Fund for the Industrial Welfare
of Tuberculous Persons, opened in the Borough in Cross Street, Hatton Garden.
There is urgent need for much development on the lines of such workshops so that
patients on their discharge from sanatoria can have a chance of re-establishing
themselves in useful occupations.
Cancer.
During the year 1927, 50 deaths were recorded as due to Cancer in comparison
with 63 in the previous year. The deaths in 1927 were equal to a rate of 1.18 per
thousand, the corresponding rate in 1926 being 1.46 per thousand. In the year
1907 the death rate from Cancer in the Borough was only 0.82, the decennial
average rate was 1.12 for the ten years, 1907-1916, and 1.41 for the ten years,
1917-1926.
It will be seen' that the death rate from Cancer in the Borough in 1927 was,
fortunately, lower than in the previous year, being only 1.18 per thousand in
comparison with 1.46 per thousand. The rate, however, for one year in districts
of comparatively small populations does not furnish a reliable indication of the
prevalence of a particular disease. The decennial rates which afford much more
reliable indication of the seriousness of Cancer show that in the past 20 years
there has apparently been a marked increase in the death rate from this disease,
for while the decennial average for the ten years, 1907-1916, was 1.12, the
corresponding rate for the ten years, 1917-1926, was 1.41. Some part of this
increase may reasonably be attributed to improved facilities for diagnosis. The
figures indicate the high mortality from malignant diseases.
Prevention of Hernia (" Rupture ").
In view of the serious inconvenience and at times death arising from
" rupture " preventive measures should be taken. I have asked Mr. McAdam
Eccles, M.S., F.B.C.S., kindly to lend his authority to a statement on the matter.
He writes:— j 1
" Hernia, which is commonly called ' rapture,' is far more common than
is usually recognised, and it is certain that some information upon its
prevention is not out of place.
It must be understood that the term ' rupture ' has led to an entirely
erroneous idea as to the causation of the condition. There is never a tearing
or breaking of parts in its oncoming. A hernia consists of a pouch of the
lining membrane of the " stomach " (abdominal) wall, and this pouch is very
usually born with the person, and a large number of persons of both sexes have
this pouch on one or both sides and are quite unaware that it exists But in