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7
As will be known, a number of cases of anterior poliomyelitis
occurred in the district during the course of the year, and as a full
account of them can be found in the infectious diseases section,
further reference to this disease will not be made here.
Another problem which has been very much to the forefront
during the past year has been that of cancer of the lung, and its
possible association with tobacco smoking. Statistically speaking,
there would certainly appear to be a correlation between the
incidence of the disease and the amount of tobacco smoked, but it
would also appear that smoking can only be a contributory factor
and not the sole cause, as the disease also affects those who have
never smoked. Statistics also show that cancer of the lung is much
more prevalent in urban communities than it is in rural ones, which
might indicate that atmospheric pollution also plays a part in the
aetiology of this disease, but of course there are other great
differences between the way of life in town and country which may
play a part.
When considering this very difficult question, it is well to
remember that the facilities for diagnosis of chest conditions improve
year by year, and it could well be that the apparent increase is
greater than the actual increase owing to improved diagnosis. Summing
up, I should say that all the available evidence pointed strongly
to some association between cancer of the lung and smoking, and
in the present state of our knowledge, I would counsel moderation
in smoking pending further factual evidence being brought to light,
but with the facts before him or her, it is up to every smoker to come
to their own conclusions in the light of present knowledge.
This letter would be incomplete without reference to the
recurring problems of the elderly person for whom difficulty is
experienced in finding suitable accommodation. The statutory
bodies are doing everything within their power and are receiving
wonderful support from the voluntary organisations which flourish
greatly in this district, but the time comes when only a bed and
constant care and attention can solve the problem, and this with an
ever ageing population, is where the real difficulties start for with
long waiting lists for institutional accommodation really difficult
situations inevitably arise from time to time. One wonders what
preventive measures can be taken to alleviate the position, and it
does appear that it is very necessary for each of us to prepare ourselves
for a possibly very long life by acquiring interests and hobbies
in middle age, and indeed even in youth, which will stand us in good
stead in our later years. By always having an interest it is undoubtedly
possible to stave off many of the more tiresome effects
of advancing years, and thus remain useful, happy and contented
to the end of our days.