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"In all probability the facilities offered at the King Edward
Hospital will be more convenient to the doctor and patient, and I
trust they will be fully taken advantage of in order to try to lessen
the mortality and suffering from this disease.
"I am asked by Dr. Thomson, Medical Officer of Health for
Greenford, to say that the procedure with regard to patients from
Greenford is the same as from those Ealing.
"For persons residing in Hanwell facilities for diagnosis and
treatment are also offered at the Hanwell Cottage Hospital, to
which they may be referred by the patients' usual medical attendant
in the same way as patients are referred to the King Edward
Memorial Hospital.
"Yours faithfully,
"Signed THOMAS ORR,
Medical Officer.
Heart Disease.—Heart disease is a condition which compels
attention by its high mortality. The figures are eloquent testimony
of the need for concerted thought being brought to bear on the
subject. By far the most important cause of heart disease is
rheumatism which affects all ages, but which is a formidable
disease in the young, leaving an indelible mark on most of those
who are attacked in the way of heart affection.. The prevention
of rheumatism, particularly in children, therefore, calls for immediate
consideration. We are, unfortunately, not at present in a position
to say with any measure of exactitude what are the factors which
determine the disease, much research and enquiry being required
to elucidate these, but we know there are certain predisposing causes
such as dampness, especially if associated with cold, anaemia and
perhaps septic conditions of the nose, mouth or other parts of the
body. In fact, we might almost say with some approximation to
the truth that any circumstance which lowers the health in susceptible
persons will act as a predisposing cause of the disease. Moreover
there is sufficient evidence that there are persons who are more
susceptible than others, for frequently there is a history of more
than one member of a family being affected with rheumatism. A