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effects were not serious in most cases. Five deaths from Influenza during an epidemic is not a
large number.
LEUKÆMIA
In most parts of the country the death rate from Leukaemia is rising, This does not appear
to be the case in Edmonton. Irradiation of the body by very large doses of X-rays, and by the
emanations from radio-active materials, can undoubtedly cause Leukaemia, but there is no
evidence, so far, that the use of X-rays and radio-active substances in moderate doses has any
permanent effect of this nature. Much more remains to be known about this distressing disease.
MALIGNANT NEOPLASMS
Malignant Neoplasms are more commonly known as Cancers. I have already referred to one
group of Cancer which is at least partially preventable, i.e., Cancer of the Lung. Neoplasms
simply means new growth and a new growth can be anything from a wart upwards. Malignant means
in this context, dangerous.
Cancers are frequently associated with irritation, particularly chronic irritation.
Examples of this in the past have been Mule Spinners Cancer, a Cancer of the Scrotum which was
found to be almost directly related to irritation by the oil-soaked Spinning Mule, and Kangri
Cancer, a Cancer of the skin of the abdomen, as a result of repeated burns from a Kangri, (a
Kangri is a basket of glowing coals which, in parts of North India, is worn next to the skin
as a source of heat).
The four main sites listed are all easily exposed to chronic irritation and the miscellaneous
group includes Cancers of the Skin and Bowel, also obviously sites where chronic irritation
can occur.
Cancer of the Stomach appears to be more common in the more poorly paid sections of the
community and this suggests that this Cancer, if not others, may be related to nutritional
defects. Cancer of the bladder is much more common in smokers than in non-smokers. Here presumably,
the irritation is chemical rather than mechanical.
Study of Table IV shows that Cancer is not wholly or even mainly a disease of the elderly.
As many women died of Cancer of the Breast below the age of 65 as above it, and between onethird
and one-half of the deaths from Cancer of the Stomach, occurred below the age of 65.
Though there may be an hereditary factor in some cases, it seems probable that a great many
cancers are preventable.
NEPHRITIS AND NEPHROSIS
This group of diseases, it will be observed, though small, accounts for quite a slice of
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