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From the above table it will be observed that the decline in the
number of deaths is chiefly seen during the first year of life, during early
middle age and again in old age. In the first of those groups there are
thus surviving a larger number of children who, having weathered the
first hazardous year, have a greatly improved chance of growing up.
It would appear that in the highest age group fatal illness was much less
prevalent among elderly people than during 1925, and survival was more
pronounced among males.
The causes of death are set out in Table IV. There was an increase
among the males of deaths from the following causes: septic diseases,
diabetes, rheumatic fever, respiratory and digestive diseases, appendicitis
and cystitis. Among the females the causes showing an increase
were septic and circulatory diseases, tuberculosis and cystitis.
There were, however, fewer deaths from cancer: 96 among males
and 111 in females. The corresponding figures in 1925 were 114 and 116.
Deaths from tuberculosis were increased by 6. Diseases of the circulatory
system still stand at the head of all causes of death, and although they
furnished 345 (179 males and 166 females), the number is smaller than
shown last year (356, 196 males, 160 females). Under this category are
included deaths from apoplectic strokes and by far the most cases occur
in the age period above 65 years. Deaths from valvular disease of the
heart have fallen this year by half.
During the year two valuable official communications on cancer have
been issued. The first, a memorandum from the Ministry of Health on
cancer of the breast shows, as a result of careful examination of records of
the subsequent history of hospital cases, that if operation is performed
sufficiently early and completely, the risk of recurrence is very slight.
On the other hand, should advice not be sought until the disease has
spread to the neighbouring lymphatic glands, then no operation can hold
out any prospect of cure. and at best can only alleviate for a few months,
while a fatal ending is inevitable. It is hoped that by some measure
of co-operation with the general hospitals in the City, the importance
of early diagnosis and treatment may become more widely known, as
suggested in the circular from the Ministry and on the lines of the
British Empire Campaign.
The other is a publication issued by the Medical Research Council
and deals with the question of diet as a cause of cancer. An elaborate
investigation in institutions where rules of dietary have been strictly
enforced for many years, namely the homes of various monastic orders,
has failed to prove that diet, vegetarian, meat free or otherwise has had
any influence on the incidence of cancer. Neither the presence nor the
absence of certain constituents of diet appear to be determining factors.
6026)Q B 2