View report page

NON-INFECTIVE DISEASES
The total number of deaths from cancer and malignant disease was
920, the number of males being 490 and females 430. The death-rate
was 2.65 per 1,000. The number of deaths in 1962 was 44 more than
in the previous year.
Deaths from diseases of the heart and circulatory system were
2,079 compared with 1,953 in 1961. Of these deaths, 1,713 were of
persons of 65 years of age and above.
There were 638 deaths from diseases of the respiratory system
compared with 653 in 1961. The number of deaths from bronchitis
was 271 compared with 260 in 1961, and from pneumonia (all forms)
312 compared with 325 in 1961.
One hundred and seventy-seven deaths were due to violence, 55 of
them being due to motor accidents, 59 to suicide and 63 to other
forms of violence.
CERTIFICATES OF VACCINATION AND INOCULATION
Fifteen thousand, one hundred and seventy-eight requests were
received from residents in the Borough for a certificate of vaccination
or inoculation to be authenticated for the purpose of travel abroad.
The signature of the person issuing the certificate was verified in each
case as that of a registered medical practitioner practising in Wandsworth
and the certificate endorsed accordingly.
The great increase in 1962 in the number of international certificates
dealt with was due to two factors (1) the importation of smallpox
from Pakistan referred to earlier in this Report which brought
about a public demand for vaccination with a corresponding increase
in the number of certificates asked for and (2) the added restrictions
placed upon travellers by Continental countries, consequent upon the
aforementioned importation of smallpox.
Occasional requests were also received by the Medical Officer of
Health for a certificate to the effect that no recent cases of smallpox
have occurred in the area. Such requests are made by persons proceeding
to the U.S.A. who do not wish to be vaccinated.
STAFF MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
At the request of the Committees and Chief Officers concerned,
arrangements were made during the year for nine members of the
Council's staff to undergo special medical examinations. In the
majority of cases the purpose of the examination was to determine
the employee's future fitness for his occupation, following serious
illness, and in three cases it was found necessary to recommend
superannuation.
Forty-five shorter reports on members of the staff who were sick
were obtained from doctors at the request of the departments concerned.
26