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HEART DISEASE, etc.
The percentage of deaths due to heart and other circulatory diseases
was slightly more than in 1934, constituting just over one-third of all
deaths.
As has been previously stated, in so far as this group includes deaths
in the elderly from what is virtually senility, it is to be hoped that the
proportion of deaths coming under this heading will increase. The
proportion over 65 years of age was 72 per cent., that being the same
as in 1934, while 43 per cent, were over 75 years of age at the time of
death.
Of the remaining 28 per cent, under 65 years of age only about
1 or 2 per cent, were connected with Rheumatism, the chief cause of
Heart disease in the young, or were congenital in origin. It is probable,
however, that Rheumatism was responsible for the original damage in
a much larger proportion, although not mentioned in the Death
Certificate.
Once again, about one-fifth of this group of deaths was in respect
of persons under 65 years of age, in whom the postponement of death
might reasonably have been expected had a sound mode of life been
adopted ; undue strain, excess, and the exigencies of modern life continue
to take their toll.
CANCER.
Cancer produced 15.9 per cent, of the deaths as compared with
19.4 in 1934 and 18.8 in 1933 ; expressed another way the Cancer Death
Rate was 1.28 per thousand of population in 1935, 1.49 in 1934 and 1.30
in 1933, the corresponding figures for England and Wales being 1.58,
1.56 and 1.52. The average Annual Cancer Death Rate for Coulsdon
and Purley for 1915-24 was 1.13, and that for 1925-34, 1.26 per thousand
of population, the averages for England and Wales for these periods
being 1.21 and 1.44.
It will be noted that this District has, in common with the Country
as a whole, experienced an increased Death Rate attributed to this
cause. It is doubtful, however, whether the disease is becoming more
common among the age and sex groups concerned, or simply that the
apparent increase is due to more deaths being attributed to this cause
owing to better diagnosis, etc.
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