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These tables show the prevalence of cancer, the occupations and sex of the
patients and the organs affected.
It is difficult for us to educate the public in the need there is for early treatment
without at the same time alarming them.
In Barking, however, there is not so great a need for this special education as
there is in some towns, because, being an industrial town, a large part of the population
is either insured or otherwise under medical supervision, and also because, on
account of the nearness of the great London hospitals, it is possible to get an opinion
without unduly alarming the patient. Persons in Barking are quite used to attending
these hospitals, and there is no need in every case to represent the situation as
dramatic in order to warrant such a journey.
(d) Influenza.—There were 14 deaths from influenza during the year 1932.
May 1 repeat that the general public look upon influenza far too lightly,
and, by keeping at work when they ought to be in bed, they not only aggravate their
own disability and in many cases provoke fatal complications, but also spread the
disease.
I do think in time we shall create a public opinion sufficiently alive to the
danger of influenza that anyone needlessly exposing himself or herself whilst suffering
from this disease will be looked upon as a public nuisance and a common
danger.
W e have but little information as to the incidence of influenza. We know, of
eourse, that it was very prevalent, and the fourteen deaths show that it was a serious
danger during the year.
N ith the opening of Barking Hospital we have taken in serious cases of
uilluenza complicated with pulmonary trouble, but, because the Hospital was only
i>|H iicd in October, the number admitted was not large.