London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Marylebone 1935
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Marylebone, Metropolitan Borough]
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32
The death-rate was 0.78 per thousand. In 1934 the rate was 1.29.
The number of deaths certified to be due to bronchitis was 19. Of this number
13 were amongst persons aged 65 and upwards, and 3 amongst those of the group
46—65. Three were under 45.
The deaths traceable to pneumonia numbered 41 and, as in the case of
bronchitis, the later age groups contributed the greatest numbers.
The number of cases of pneumonia notified in 1935 was 33. Further particulars
with regard to distribution of the cases, both in relation to age and residence, will
be found in the table on page 78. Visits were paid to each of the notified cases,
when not already in a Hospital or other Institution, and any assistance possible in
the way of removal to hospital or nursing (under the Council's arrangement with
the Paddington and Marylebone Nursing Association) offered.
CANCER OR MALIGNANT DISEASE.
The number of deaths due to cancer was 181 and the death-rate 1.95 per 1,000
of the population. These figures are almost identical with those for 1934, when the
deaths numbered 180, and the rate was 1.94 per 1,000.
Information with regard to the situation of the disease and the age at which death occurred is given in the following tables:—
Cancer : Ages at Death.
| Ages | under 1 | 2 and under 5 | 5 and under 15 | 15 and under 25 | 25 and 35 and under 35 under 45 | 45 and under 55 | 55 and under 65 | 65 and under 75 | 75 and upwards | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Males | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 14 | 25 | 24 | 5 | 73 |
| Females | — | — | — | — | 3 | 6 | 17 | 28 | 30 | 24 | 108 |
| Totals | — | — | — | — | 4 | 10 | 31 | 53 | 54 | 29 | 181 |
Cancer.—Situation of the Disease.
| Parts of the body affected. | Males. | Females. | Totals. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face, Tongue, Jaw | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Throat, Neck, Gullet | 10 | 2 | 12 |
| Stomach | 14 | 13 | 27 |
| Intestines | l5 | 16 | 31 |
| Liver | 5 | 7 | 12 |
| Breast | — | 23 | 23 |
| Uterus and Generative Organs | 5 | 15 | 20 |
| Various | 20 | 30 | 50 |
| Totals | 73 | 108 | 181 |
The fact, commonly accepted, that the number of deaths certified as due to
Cancer is showing a definite tendency to increase receives confirmation from these
figures. 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.