View report page

(b) OTHER ILLNESSES.
It has previously been explained why so much space is devoted
in these reports to the infectious diseases, although their influence
on the public health has, fortunately, become of decreasing significance.
Further reasons are, that at local level no statistics are
available as to the prevalence of other forms of ill-health and,
until recent times, it has been thought that but few preventive
measures were practicable in relation to them.
Nationally it is known that the chief causes of absenteeism
are the respiratory diseases and especially chronic bronchitis,
rheumatism, the so called 'psychosomatic' group of diseases and
more obvious mental ill-health.
RESPIRATORY DISEASES.
The general principles outlined when considering the prevention
of infectious diseases apply to the prevention of other respiratory
diseases which are of an infectious nature, e.g. colds, influenza,
acute bronchitis and pneumonia.
The term 'Chronic Bronchitis' is one which calls for a clearer
definition: it is generally applied to a collection of symptoms,
possibly caused by a variety of circumstances or organisms, which
recur time and again in the same patients. Much research is
needed and is now being given to ascertain how and why this
disease begins, as well as into the best treatment. All that can
now be suggested to a layman is that he should try to avoid the
acute respiratory infections; when he fails to do so he should see that
the infections are completely cleared up before ceasing treatment
and resuming work. Unfavourable climate, smoking, certain dusty
occupations and poor housing conditions may all be conducive
factors needing to be investigated. Meanwhile the sufferer should
avoid, as far as practicable, these and other potential irritants and
should learn to live within the capacity of his damaged lungs.
'Rheumatism' also covers a number of abnormal conditions,
from the acute rheumatism, usually of childhood, to the
osteoarthritis with permanently damaged articular surfaces of the
joints. The former is now, fortunately, a much rarer sequel to
throat infections, and the damaged hearts which frequently
occurred should now be avoidable given adequate initial treatment
coupled with graduated exercise when necessary.
Rheumatoid arthritis, usually a disease of younger women,
would be classified by some as a 'psychosomatic' complaint i.e.
one in which it is the person's mental condition which, at least
originally, causes the physical symptoms. If this is so the cultivation
of a healthy mind would appear to be a logical preventive
measure.
Most people complaining of 'rheumatism' suffer from some
form of muscular trouble which may have originated through such
diverse causes as dampness or even prolonged mental tension and
30