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The most marked decreases compared with last year are in deaths
from cancer of the stomach and intestines, (19 as compared with 32),
otherwise there is very little difference in the corresponding figures.
Cancer can very frequently be cured if only recognised early enough
and the best treatment available secured. Unfortunately the patient
too often delays and does not seek advice until the chance of recovery
has been seriously prejudiced.
The folly of procrastination should be sufficiently obvious. Not
only is there danger in delay, but much ill-health frequently results from
the mental agony caused by postponing examination. The reassurance
of a negative finding is almost as important as an early positive result.
The symptoms which call for most attention are persistent or
repeated pain, bleeding, swelling, early morning diarrhoea, increasing
constipation, or difficulty in passing water.
As each year about one death in every six or seven from cancer
is attributable to cancer of the breast, the necessity for the investigation
of any lump in the breast of a woman which does not subside in a very
short time must be re-emphasized.
VIOLENCE.
Deaths from Violence (including Suicide) decreased during 1938,
the Death Rate per thousand of population being 0.49 compared with
0.61 last year and 0.55 in England and Wales.
In 1938 there were 14 deaths from Violence other than Suicide, as
compared with 25 last year. Of the 14 Deaths only 5 were due to road
accidents, of which 1 was a pedestrian, 2 were motor car drivers and 2
were motor cyclists. The remaining 9 deaths were due to:—Asphyxia 1,
bums 1, run over by train 1, electrocution 1, tree falling upon bus 1,
falls 2, and operative shock 2.
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