London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Islington 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
This page requires JavaScript
11
There is good evidence that the principal cause for the increase in lung cancer
is due to long-continued and heavy cigarette smoking; a contributory factor may
also be atmospheric pollution. Both these factors are preventable—the decision in
the former case being in the hands of the individual concerned, while action in the
latter case rests with the community. If the individual chooses to take the risk
because of the personal satisfaction given to him by smoking, he should, at any
rate, not be blind to the possible consequences, which may only ensue after many
years.
Diseases of the Respiratory System. There were fewer deaths in 1952 from
influenza (7 as against 50), but deaths from pneumonia, bronchitis and other
respiratory diseases remained much about the same.
Accidents This cause accounted for 48 deaths, of which 24 were in persons
over the age of 65. There were 22 deaths from this cause between the ages
25—65, of which 19 were in men. Examination of these deaths show that the male
deaths were mainly due to causes associated with occupational risks whereas in the
elderly age-groups over the age of 65 most of the accidents occurred at home,
frequently due to fractures through falls in the home, with men and women more
or less equally affected.
SECTION B. PREVALENCE AND CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES. Notifiable Infectious Diseases and Deaths during the year 1952.
| Disease | Number of Notifications | Number of Deaths | Removed to Hospital | Number of Cases returned to Registrar-General after correction of Diagnosis | Cases "coming to knowledge" but not Notified | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smallpox | - | (-) | - | - | - | - |
| Starlet Fever | 474 | (382) | — | 135 | 450 | 14 |
| Diphtheria | 23 | (43) | — | 23 | — | — |
| Enteric Fever (including Paratyphoid) | 2 | (2) | _ | 2 | 1 | - |
| Typhus Fever | — | (-) | — | — | — | — |
| Puerperal Pyrexia | 385 | (106) | — | 363 | 380 | 30 |
| Ac. Primary & Influenzal Pneumonia | 246 | (127) | 3 | - | 238 | - |
| Ophthalmia Neonatorum | 26 | (3) | — | 22 | 26 | - |
| Acute Encephalitis | 1 | (—) | — | 1 | 1 | - |
| Meningococcal Infection | 10 | (9) | 1 | 10 | 7 | - |
| Anthrax | — | (—) | — | — | — | — |
| Dysentery | 216 | (995) | — | 83 | 187 | 13 |
| Malaria | 1 | (1) | — | — | 1 | — |
| Erysipelas | 33 | (62) | — | 13 | 32 | 3 |
| Measles | 2,885 | (3,199) | — | 167 | 2,765 | 37 |
| Whooping Cough | 504 | (1,068) | 2 | 87 | 487 | 16 |
| Ac. Poliomyelitis | 20 | (12) | — | 20 | 13 | — |
| Ac. Polioencephalitis | — | (-) | — | — | — | — |
| Food Poisoning | 62 | (150) | — | 6 | 58 | 1 |
| Tuberculosis—Lung | 433 | (375) | 75 | — | — | — |
| Tuberculosis—Other Forms | 55 | (43) | 5 | — | — | —. |
| Scabies | 31 | (33) | — | 1 | 29 | 86 |
(Figures in brackets are notifications for 1951).