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11
5. CAUSES OF SICKNESS,
Last year I called your attention to the fact that amongst
things prejudicial to health must be counted the condition of the
District Railway to Barking.
My information is that certain steps have been taken to mitigate
this nuisance, but I myself have been unable to see any change
for the better.
It is not only bad from a public health standpoint but bad
economically for people to have to spend no inconsiderable part
of their working day under the unhygienic circumstances which
obtain on this railway. 11
Last year also, I called to your notice that my attention had
been drawn to a particular disease which, whilst resembling
consumption in many ways, was not due, I felt sure, to tuberculosis.
At that time, too, I expressed the opinion that there was possibly
some association between this disease and industrial life.
During the year under review I have had the greatest help from
my colleague, Dr. Burton Wood, and also from Dr. Gloyne, who
is the pathologist at the Victoria Park Chest Hospital, and we have
established that many people in Barking are suffering from disease
of the lungs due to the inhalation of asbestos dust.
Somewhat late, the Home Office on 17th March, 1930, issued
a memorandum on this subject, after you, on the findings of our
personal experience, had made representations to them.
The incidence of diphtheria and scarlet fever has been heavy,
and diphtheria has been severe in type.
It is interesting to contrast the relative severity of diphtheria
in this coastwise town of Barking with the relative mildness of the
disease on the uplands of Yorkshire.