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
Beckenham 1920
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beckenham]
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9
CAUSES OF DEATH.
In a Table appended to this Report will be found a classification
of all the deaths that occurred during the year according to age
and cause of death. The principal causes were: Cancer 47,
Bronchitis and Pneumonia 43, Heart Disease 40, Tuberculosis 21.
INQUESTS.
Eleven inquests were held on deaths occurring within the
District, and the cause of death was returned as follows: Suicide
1, Misadventure 5, and Natural Causes 5.
CANCER.
Cancer still heads the list of causes of death, and 47 deaths, 21 males and 26 females, were due to this disease, as compared with 34, 52 and 55 in the previous 3 years.
| Disease. | Males. | Females. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancer of the mouth and tongue | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| „ of the stomach and liver | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| „ of the intestines and rectum | 7 | 4 | 11 |
| „ of the female genital organs | ... | 8 | 8 |
| „ of the breast | 5 | 5 | |
| „ of the throat | 1 | ... | 1 |
| „ of other parts | 8 | ... | 8 |
| Total | 21 | 26 | 47 |
In previous Reports I have referred to certain conditions which
are known to predispose to the development of Cancer, and I have
indicated the preventive measures that would appear to be called
for. Our knowledge of prevention and cure in regard to this disease
is still very limited.