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tuberculosis, diabetes, chronic Bright's disease and increased
blood pressure, all of which are particularly benefited by treatment
in the early stages. The public must be educated generally as to
the preservation of their own health and the advisability of seeking
medical aid whenever anything abnormal arises.
"I am not prepared to advise the issue to the public of a
leaflet specially relating to cancer. I feel that a leaflet on this
subject by itself, no matter how guarded it might be, would have
the effect of causing alarm to many persons. What I would
advise is that, if any leaflet is issued, it should relate to the desirability
of calling in medical aid in all conditions of abnormal or
lowered health or where there are growths or enlargements even
without pain, and that the whole subject of informing or educating
the public on such health matters should be included in a general
scheme of propaganda which I intend placing before you at an
early date.
"Much is being done at the Welfare Centre in teaching the
mothers to look after their health and to seek medical advice when
anything abnormal occurs. The question of cancer is always born
in mind by the staff, so much so that even women who are not
nursing or expectant mothers usually dealt with at the Centre
suspecting themselves of suffering from cancer or having suspicious
symptoms, can receive advice from the consultant. Midwives,
who have special opportunities of advising mothers, have also had
issued to them by the Central Midwives Board leaflets giving
informaton regarding cancer.
Facilities for Diagnosis and Treatment.
"The patient in the first instance will usually refer to his
own doctor, but if he is unable to afford a doctor he can obtain
medical advice from the Poor Law Medical Officer on application
to the Relieving Officer. Little difficulty is experienced in the
recognition by the medical practitioner of certain cases of cancer,
but in others X-ray or special examination provided only at general
or other hospitals may be necessary. The medical practitioror may
send cases of difficulty to the King Edward Memorial Hospital,
where every facility is offered for scientific diagnosis, consultants
being available when required. For the Ealing area the King
Edward Memorial Hospital is remarkably well equipped for dealing