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figures for the mortality arising therefrom are not available.
However the condition has now reached epidemic proportions and
the accumulated statistical evidence is such that there now appears
to be no other reasonable interpretation of the figures other than
a cause and effect relationship between smoking and many cases
of lung cancer. Smoking of cigarettes would appear to be the
most dangerous form of tobacco consumption, but despite the fact
that this knowledge must now be very well known to the great
mass of the population, the consumption of tobacco continues to
increase and vast numbers of our people are prepared to face the
risks of smoking rather than suffer the pangs of deprivation. One
is rather fearful of the ultimate results of this heedlessness on the
part of the community at large, and would like to suggest some
remedy, but feel that the only way in which a satisfactory conclusion
can be reached is by precept. It is very well known that the
adolescent in his or her anxiety to prove their maturity will always
follow the example of the adult, especially when that example is a
bad one ! It therefore seems to me to follow that until adults are
prepared to show the way to the youth of the country we are likely
to have an ever increasing incidence of lung cancer with its very
high mortality rate.
In a very estimable attempt to cut the number of deaths from
this disease by early diagnosis and treatment, the South-East
Metropolitan Regional Board's Mass X-ray units are undertaking
a regular six monthly chest x-ray examination of men volunteers
over the age of 45, but how much more satisfactory it would be if
such a service were unnecessary.
The other disease to which I wished to make special reference
was what is known as the English Disease or bronchitis.
Not only has the death rate from this condition increased
alarmingly, but there is also undoubtedly an enormous amount of
invalidism caused by a condition which is most distressing to its
victims. In this case it is probable that pollution of the
atmosphere we breathe is a main contributory cause of the
condition, and here again it is probable that smoking makes its
contribution. However any effort however small towards making
the air pure is welcome, and one hopes that the local authority will
make its effort in the common cause through the Clean Air Act
and its smoke control area provisions.
Experience gained with the use of vaccination against anterior
poliomyelitis indicates the development of a high degree of
immunity, and it is therefore hoped that all who are at present
eligible for this form of preventive treatment, will take advantage of
it at the earliest possible opportunity. It is also hoped that it
will not be long before all who wish to be immunised against this