London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Marylebone 1912
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Marylebone, Metropolitan Borough]
This page requires JavaScript
Cancer. Ages at Death.
| Ages. | Under 10 | 10 and under 20 | 20 and under 30 | 30 and under 40 | 40 and under 60 | 50 and under 60 | 60 and under 70 | 70 and upwards | Totals. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Males | — | — | 1 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 20 | 15 | 55 |
| Females | 1 | — | 2 | 7 | 12 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 82 |
| Totals | 1 | — | 3 | 9 | 19 | 31 | 40 | 34 | 137 |
Situation of disease.—The table indicating the tissues and organs affected in
those who died is one generally included in this report.
For the fact that in man the face, tongue and jaw are so frequently affected,
smoking is said to account. ' It may be noted, however, that in addition to the
irritation of the tobacco smoke there is usually something else. The resistance of the
tissues has generally been reduced by some other cause and a well-known writer on
venereal diseases has recently noted that persons who have suffered from syphilitic
lesions of the tongue not infrequently later develop cancer. Decayed and neglected
teeth are also important in connection with cancer of the tongue and mouth.
Cancer. Situation of the Disease.
| Parts of the body affected. | Males. | Females. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face, Tongue, Jaw | 13 | 5 | 18 |
| Throat, Neck, Gullet | 8 | 2 | 10 |
| Stomach | 14 | 9 | 23 |
| Intestines | 7 | 14 | 21 |
| Liver | 5 | 6 | 11 |
| Breast | — | 14 | 14 |
| Uterus and Generative Organs | — | 20 | 20 |
| Various | 8 | 12 | 20 |
| 55 | 82 | 137 |
Occupation and Cancer.—A very careful analysis has been made of the
occupations followed by those, both male and female, who died of cancer during 1912.
Practically nothing of any note was made out as a result.
As is pointed out in connection with the distribution of the disease, cancer may
safely be said to be no respecter of persons. Amongst males, the rich and the poor,