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354
The Zymotic Death-rate for the Borough was 0.94 per 1,000
per annum, as against 0.61 in the preceding year.
MORTALITY FROM CONSUMPTION
The death-rate for Consumption (Pulmonary Tuberculosis) in
the Borough for 1920 was 0.70 per 1,000, as against l.0 for London
generally.
CANCER.
The returns for the whole country maintain the increase, as
compared with former years, in the mortality from malignant
disease. The tendency to exceptional increase in the mortality of
males has been noteworthy in the records of the last few years.
For the purpose of enabling the true comparative incidence of
cancer on the populations of different sanitary areas to be precisely
stated, factors would have to be calculated for correcting the deathrates,
as far as possible, for the differences in the age and sex constitution
of the several populations concerned.
Certain predisposing factors in the causation of Cancer are now
pretty generally accepted. Some of these are beyond individual
control ; others, however, such as occupation and habits of life,
determining a localised chronic irritation or inflammation (as the
prolonged irritation caused by broken, lagged teeth, etc., and
suspicious growths in connection with old scars and simple Tumours)
call for greater recognition among the general public, in order that
preventive measures and early treatment may be put in operation.
To this end the public should also be cautioned against losing
valuable time by resorting to quack remedies.
The changes which take place when normal tissue cells become
cancerous is a very subtle one, and is not yet disclosed by the large
body of research work which is constantly undertaken in this
connection. We anxiously await more knowledge; and meanwhile
we can do no more than act upon the knowledge which we possess
of one greatly predisposing factor and avoid all causes of oft-repeated
local irritation, and take advantage of the fact that very early
operative treatment affords the only prospect of relief.