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had cleared up, and the certificate stated that he was possibly
suffering from Laryngeal Tuberculosis; that is, the diagnosis was
preceded by a mark of interrogation. The history of the case was
indefinite. He had been found at Chertsey in October suffering
from loss of memory and was then taken to the sanatorium and
treated for tubercular disease of the throat. After his discharge
from the sanatorium at the end of December, his throat became
more troublesome, and he attended the Middlesex Hospital, when
the condition was diagnosed as a malignant growth. He died in
January.
The doctor who made the post-mortem examination stated
that he found death due to the effect of poisoning by some corrosive
substance. The man must have swallowed a quantity of acid some
months previously.
Cancer.—The subject of Cancer has excited considerable attention
both in the medical and the lay Press, and a memorandum
was issued by the Ministry of Health in July, 1923. Further
memoranda have been issued. A conference of the different
authorities within the Union was convened by the Brentford Board
of Guardians, and a Cancer Committee appointed. Although in the
last 10 years there has been no appreciable increase in the deaths
from Cancer in Acton, it is now generally admitted that Cancer is
on the increase. The figures of Dr. Stevenson show that a natural
increase has occurred, and not merely a statistical increase. He
examined the figures for England and Wales for 1.917 and the
previous 22 years, and found that a greater increase had occurred
in Cancer of accessible sites than in that of inaccessible sites. For
instance, Cancer of the tongue caused a mortality three or four
times as great as it did 50 or 60 years ago.
The same work was repeated in the United States and reported
in the mortality statistics for 1920. The United States authorities
arrived at precisely the same results—a greater increase of Cancer
of accessible sites than of inaccessible.
In spite of this, in the last 10 years at any rate, there has
been no appreciable increase here. The death-rate per 1,000
inhabitants has varied considerably. The highest rates were in
1916, 1917 and 1922, when the death-rate was 1.15 per 1,000, and the
lowest was last year when it was 84 per 1,000.
It is unnecessary here to discuss the various theories as to the
causes of the increase; unfortunately, it is admitted generally that
the root cause or causes on which the occurrence of cancer depends
are unknown.
The memorandum of the Ministry suggested that local
authorities should consider the question of providing facilities for
diagnosis and treatment, and whether propaganda work should be
undertaken which would result in persons suffering from the disease
seeking early advice and treatment.