View report page

shedding parts which start 'secondary new growths' in other parts
of the body. What exactly is the primary cause of this abnormal
growth is still unknown. There may be underlying factors but
almost certainly there is some form of direct irritation. The
classical examples of the effect of irritation are the comparatively
high number of cases which used to occur among chimney sweeps
and tar workers, and those using rough ended clay pipes, badly
fitting dentures or retaining jagged teeth.
Turning to the following table on page 14, in which the sites of
the original growth are indicated and the ages and sex of the persons
concerned, it will be seen that, as usual, the commonest sites
affected are the stomach and intestines, the breasts in women, the
lungs, (although much less than in 1956) and the genital-urinary
system.
Unfortunately we know too little about the causal irritants
except in the case of cancer of the lung where it is now generally
suspected that heavy cigarette smoking over a long period may be
a very important cause. In view of the many serious financial
repercussions which would result if all cigarette smoking ceased,
very considerable research is being undertaken to ascertain what
chemical, if any, causes the irritation. While the results are
awaited, adults who have become addicted to the habit would be
well advised to reduce their use of cigarettes, while the younger
generation would be wise to consider the unnecessary risk before
they become addicted to what is, at least, a foolish and uneconomic
habit and one which most probably contributes to other forms of
ill health.
If the scope for preventive measures is unfortunately, limited,
there is still hope of a cure being effected if operative or other
measures are carried out early in the disease. The outlook is best
in the accessible forms of the disease, e.g. the skin, mouth, breast
and female genital organs. The prime necessity is for early
recognition. Persistant ulcers, pain or swelling, the enlargement
of any skin defect or unusual haemorrhage from any of the body
orifices should be reported promptly to the patients' private doctor.
The mental relief of a negative diagnosis is almost as important
as the institution of early treatment.
TUBERCULOSIS, PNEUMONIA AND BRONCHITIS.
These diseases are referred to in later sections of this report.
VIOLENCE.
During 1957 there were 16 deaths among ordinary residents
which were attributed to suicide or other forms of violence, the
resultant death rate being 0.25 per 1,000 population which is well
below the average of about 0.39 since 1919, excluding the period
of the war.
13