View report page

9
cigarettes ; and also by atmospheric pollution in large built-up areas. Therefore, the
problem of the prevention of a further increase in lung cancer deaths, if possible
to be followed by an eventual reduction, is a social and educational problem as well
as a medical one. The effects from smoke have to be applied over a long period, and
the trend can be seen only over a period of many years. Any solution, therefore, will
inevitably have to be on a long-term basis, but this is no reason why all forms of
atmospheric pollution, whether personal or communal, should not be viewed as
problems to be dealt with urgently.
Diseases of the Respiratory System. There was a very substantial decrease in 1954
over the previous year, in deaths due to influenza, pneumonia and bronchitis. In
particular, in respect of bronchitis, there was a decrease in all age groups.

The Report of the Standing Interdepartmental Committee on Accidents in
the Home, issued with Home Office Circular 106/1953, stated that the majority of
accident victims are young children and old people, more than 25% being under 15
and more than 50% over 65. More children under 15 died from home accidents
than from any single infectious disease ; between the ages of one and five years
a fatal accident in the home is the third largest cause of death.

It is to be regretted that Home Safety Committees have not been encouraged
and have not been organised as have Road Safety Committees.
Suicides. Suicide deaths, at 31, maintained the considerable increase recorded last
year as compared with 18 in 1952. Again, there were only 8 females who committed
suicide, but the number of males was 23, of whom over half were in the 45-65 age
group.