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Unfortunately the position with regard to male cancer of the
lung is not so satisfactory, and nationally it has been shown that
the increase in deaths attributed to this cause is a true increase,
even allowing for the aging population, better diagnosis, etc.
Research on the cause is proceeding and the suspected association
with heavy cigarette smoking is being investigated. Meanwhile,
the evidence is such as to justify personal restrictive measures.
The younger generation would be wise to consider this unnecessary
risk before they become addicted to what is at the least a foolish
and uneconomic habit and one which most probably contributes
to other forms of illhealth.
VIOLENCE.
Deaths from violence (including suicide) showed a slight improvement
compared with 1951, the death rate being 0.34 per
thousand of population compared with 0.45 and 0.37 in the last
two years and an average of 0.39 both for the inter-war years and
for the years since the war.
Deaths on the road decreased slightly, three deaths being
attributed to this cause, compared with five last year. Two of
these deaths were in elderly pedestrians struck by motor cars and
one was a motor-cyclist.
There were a variety of causes for the remaining 12 accidental
deaths, the only cause producing multiple deaths being falls in the
elderly, 4 being women. The two deaths in young children from
preventable accidents emphasise the importance of the prevention
of accidents in the home, upon which the nation's attention is now
being focussed.
The number of deaths attributed to suicide, 7, was 2 less than
last year and very slightly above the annual average since the war.
TUBERCULOSIS AND PNEUMONIA.
Deaths from tuberculosis and pneumonia are referred to in
later sections of this report.
MATERNAL MORTALITY.
It is pleasing to report that for the third time in four years,
no maternal death occurred during the twelve months under
review.
The maternal mortality rate for England and Wales was 0.72
per 1,000 live and stillbirths, which is the lowest yet recorded.
INFANT MORTALITY.
During 1952 there were 18 deaths among children under one
year of age, as compared with 17 last year, and an average of 20
in the last five years. None of the deaths was in respect of an
illegitimate child.
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