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deaths in 1960 and seven deaths in the first seven months
of 1961. Parents would be well advised to heed this warning
and ensure that their children are kept fully immunised.
For the second year in succession no case of poliomyelitis
occurred in the Borough. There can be little doubt
that this satisfactory result is, substantially, due to the
intensive poliomyelitis vaccination of children and young
adults in recent years. A further interesting development
which may have far-reaching consequences is the introduction
of a new type of vaccine which is given by the mouth
(oral vaccine). It is evident from extensive trials carried out
in various parts of the world that it is both safe and effective.
In the meantime, it behoves all parents and all adults
within the approved age limit (at present 40 years) to avail
themselves to the fullest extent, both for their children and
for themselves, of the fully-tried procedure at present in use
which is known to be at least 90 per cent effective for those
persons receiving three or more doses.
During 1960, there were 50 deaths from cancer of the
lung—the highest number recorded in the Borough in any
one year. The annual figures for the previous nine years
were 40, 30, 37, 32, 48, 28, 40, 40 and 42. The increased
incidence and associated mortality are, of course, a national
problem.
It is now ten years since the first publication of evidence,
in this country, of the close association between cancer of
the lung and heavy cigarette smoking and there must be few
people from the age of 15 years and upwards who are not
aware of the danger; and yet the consumption of cigarettes
goes up and up. The report of the Commissioners of H.M.
Customs and Excise, for the year ended 31st March, 1960,
indicates that a big increase in tobacco smoking in Britain
sent the Customs and Excise revenue up, during that year,
by £52 million to £788 million—the department's highest
single revenue rise. Tobacco clearances for consumption rose
by more than 17 million lbs. to 262 million lbs. and the
report makes it clear that the increase was due, in the main,
to an increase in consumer demand.
It may be of some use to re-state the facts. The consumption
of tobacco rose from 11½ million lbs. in 1900 to
over 225 million lbs. in 1958. In 1900 deaths from lung
cancer were eight per million of the population—in 1958,
440 per million. In the past eight years 125,000 deaths have
occurred from lung cancer in England and Wales alone—
many more than all accidental deaths on the roads, in the
home and in industry.
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