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10
8 females. Further observations in connection with tuberculosis of the lungs will
be found in the Infectious Diseases section of this Report, but in spite of what has
just been mentioned, the proportion of deaths due to this cause in Islington remains
higher than the rate for England and Wales.

Again it must be said that malignant growth of the lungs, etc., continue to
increase whilst tuberculous decreases. The table on page 7 shows an increase for
the second successive year following a period when the rates, although high, were
relatively stationery. 152 deaths from cancer and other malignant disease of the
lungs is the highest number ever recorded. The proportion of males to females
remains approximately five to one and, of the 127 male deaths 65, or a little over 50
per cent, were in the age group 45—65 years. It has again to be recorded that
Islington rates compare very unfavourably with the rates for England and Wales as
returned by the Registrar General.

It has been mentioned in a previous Report that the principal contributory cause
of lung cancer appears to be well established as due to prolonged cigarette smoking.
The evidence of the Medical Research Council has been accepted by the Ministry
of Health, and Local Health Authorities have been advised by the Ministry in regard
to health education of the public on the risks of smoking. It is not apparent so far
that any impression of consequence has been made upon the public.