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The fact that the number of deaths certified as due to cancer is showing a
definite tendency to increase is common knowledge, and has been referred to more
than once in these reports. No reason, generally acceptable, to account for this
has as yet been put forward, nor has any theory to account for the occurrence of
the disease, to which the medical profession as a whole can subscribe, been
submitted. One point upon which there is general agreement, however, is with
regard to the importance, advisability and advantage of early treatment. Of the
accuracy of the, advice now so widely given that there should never be any delay
in seeking an authoritative opinion in any case of doubt and in securing treatment
there can be no question.
ALCOHOLISM.
There were no deaths certified as due to alcoholism, though cirrhosis of the
liver, a condition in most cases probably resulting from abuse of alcohol, was
given as the cause in 12 cases. This is less than the figure for 1926, when 15
deaths were ascribed to this cause.
The deaths from conditions sometimes due to the irritation produced in
various organs by chronic alcoholism, e.g., nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys)
numbered 43, as against 44 for the year 1926.
ACCIDENT, SUICIDE AND MANSLAUGHTER.
Accidental or violent deaths during 1927 numbered 48. Of these 15 were due
to suicide. Deaths of babies, certified as resulting from suffocation (overlaying)
numbered 1.
PREVALENCE OF AND CONTROL OVER INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
A table showing, with regard to the infections, the total number of notifications
received, the age distribution and the number of cases notified from each of
the four registration districts, will be found on page 64.
The total number of notifications coming to hand was 686, which is higher
by 12 than the figure (674) for 1926. The bulk of the notifications related to
tuberculosis, which contributed 190 to the total. Other diseases in respect of
which fairly large numbers of notifications were received were scarlet fever 178),
diphtheria (160), and pneumonia (45).
The notification rate (proportion to population of notified cases of infectious
diseases) in 1927 was 6.6 per 1,000, as against 6.2 in 1926.