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There was one death due to an undiagnosed complication of early
pregnancy, but for the second year running not a single death
of a mother in childbirth. In considering fresh advances in preventive
medicine it should be remembered that the greatest
single factor causing death under 65 years of age was Cancer. Of
the 278 deaths ascribed to this cause, 102 were from cancer of
the lung. Diseases of the heart and circulatory system in ages
under 65 came next in frequency with 221 deaths, of which 147
were from Coronary Thrombosis. It is usual to comment that
further intensive research is needed to discover the causes of
these conditions so that they may be prevented, but the situation
in regard to cancer of the lung shows that knowledge about an
important cause may not result in action to prevent deaths.
Communicable Diseases
The anticipated outbreak of Measles produced over 3,000
notifications but without a single fatal case. Another year free
from poliomyelitis is a gratifying tribute to the efficacy of
vaccination, but increased the difficulty of persuading parents
to have their children given this protection. A case of Typhoid
Fever (contracted abroad) in a member of a family with several
food handlers gave rise to some anxiety, but fortunately all
went well.
Personal Health Services
The further rise in the birth rate threw additional burdens
upon the hospital obstetric service, but with the usual help
from the domiciliary Midwives in dealing with mothers discharged
early after confinement, no special problems arose. The opening
of new specially built clinic premises for the Waddon area was
very welcome, as it was formerly an inadequately served part of
the Borough.
The Superintendent Health Visitor deals with efforts to
promote co-operation between general practitioners and health
visitors. It has proved very difficult recently to recruit
Health Visitors and staffing shortages impede the development
of new schemes. Authority to sponser Health Visitor students was
granted and it is anticipated that this measure will in due
course ensure a full establishment of Health Visitors.