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One of the most disquieting features of present day
mortality statistics is the increased number of deaths
from cancer and diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
While insufficient is known of the causation of cancer to
explain this phenomenon, it would appear that the
increase in cardio-vascular diseases is probably related
to the stresses and strains of life in the highly organised
modern industrial state and the worry and anxiety which
are an inseparable part of existence today.
There is, of course, a fallacy in judging the health
of an area solely by the mortality statistics. To get a
complete picture information should also be available in
regard to the incidence of sickness as distinct from
deaths, and it is well known that to collect comprehensive
statistics of sickness is not an easy task. At the
present time the Medical Officer of Health has not the
resources to carry out this important enquiry, but it is
interesting to note that the Registrar General in the preface
to the report issued bv the General Register Office
on Sickness in the Population of England and Wales,
1944-1947, has stated that the measurement of sickness
in relation to local populations is important and is of
particular concern and interest to the Medical Officer of
Health. It is to be hoped that this function will, in time,
become an integral part of the work of the Health
Department.
Attention is drawn to the report on page 49 on the
ocurrence of a mild outbreak of pemphigus at the Corporation
Maternity Home and the steps that were taken
to deal with it. It is felt that timely action may have
prevented a more serious outbreak of a condition which
is often difficult to control.
One of the difficulties experienced during the year
has arisen from the fact that, although the demolition of
individual unfit houses has been dealt with in a number
of cases, it has still not been possible to proceed with
slum clearance in view of the problems which would be
raised in the rehousing of the occupants. The question
of the demolition of sub-standard houses and of proceeding
with the implementation of the Lodge Lane
Hutments Slum Clearance Scheme is one of the greatest
importance from a health point of view and should not
be delayed a day longer than is absolutely necessary.
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