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In January 1960, in co-operation with St. Bartholomew's Hospital, the
City of London Corporation set up the City of London Cancer Diagnostic Centre
for female City workers over the age of 35. The scheme has now been extended
to cover Poplar. The service is being brought to the notice of firms With
reasonably large female staffs.
Cancer of the lung appears to be static but because of the quite
definite association between lung cancer and cigarette smoking, and the long
exposure factor, every endeavour should be made to dissuade smoking among
children and young people. Parents have a grave responsibility in this
matter not to encourage smoking and they should set an example. It is obvious
from the profligate spending on tobacco that in the absence of some selfdiscipline
- prosperity can be socially harmful - not only in this respect,
but also in others.
Coronary Heart Disease during the year has increased by 25% This
would appear to be another adverse effect of prosperity. In view of the
apparent connection between Coronary Heart Disease and overweight subjects
in sedentary occupations, healthy living would appear to require further
self-discipline in eating and exercise habits.
The degree of pollution of river water over the year shows a continued
slight improvement. Fewer complaints concerning its smell and black appearance
have been noted. This is, no doubt, due to improvement in the quality of
sewage effluent discharged into the river and also a smaller quantity of
sulphates being added to the river from the gas washing effluent from
Battersea and Bankside Power Stations.
I am pleased to report that a further seven Smoke Control Otders of
approximately 180 acres were made by the Council and confirmed by the
Minister, to become operative from 1st September next year, A further Order
covering 200 acres in the S.E. Section of the Isle of Dogs has been forwarded
to the Minister for confirmation.
The trespass of caravans on unlicensed and unsuitable sites still takes
up a considerable amount of time in the department. There have been fewer
trespassers this year, probably due to the vigorous action taken by the
department, and the increasing penalties imposed by the Courts.
I would like to express my thanks to Members of the Council and, in
particular, to the Chairman and Members of the Public Health Committee,
for their help and encouragement.
My thanks are also due to the other Chief Officers and their staffs
for their assistance and co-operation at all times, and to my own staff
for their loyal and ready support.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
W. C. TURNER
Medical Officer of Health
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