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21
NON-INFECTIVE DISEASES
The total number of deaths from cancer and malignant disease
was 909, the number of males being 475 and females 434. The
death rate was 2.60 per 1,000. The number of deaths in 1963 was
11 less than in the previous year.
Deaths from disease of the heart and circulatory system were
2,098 compared with 2,079 in 1962. Of these deaths 1,732 were of
persons of 65 years of age and above.
There were 861 deaths from diseases of the respiratory system
compared with 638 in 1962. The number of deaths from bronchitis
was 377 compared with 271 in 1962, and from pneumonia (all
forms) 414 compared with 312 in 1962.
One hundred and ninety-five deaths were due to violence, 46 of
them due to motor accidents, 57 to suicide and 92 to other forms
of violence.
CERTIFICATES OF VACCINATION AND INOCULATION
Two thousand, six hundred and sixty-five 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.
As referred to in last year's Report, the risk of importation of
smallpox to countries by travellers from smallpox endemic areas
has caused a tightening up by most countries of their regulations in
regard to vaccination, and in consequence, many more requests than
was previously the case are now made to Health Departments for
the authentication of international certificates.
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 three members of the
Council's staff to undergo special medical examinations. The
purpose of the examination was to determine the employee's future
fitness for his occupation, following serious illness, and in one case
it was found necessary to recommend superannuation.
Sixty-one shorter reports on members of the staff who were sick
were obtained from doctors at the request of the departments
concerned.