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In addition there were two deaths from drowning, one of a man aged
49 and one of a girl aged 11, and a youth of 18 died as a result of a fractured
skull when a scaffolding collapsed.
ANGINA
(Coronary Disease)
There was a reduction in deaths due to coronary disease in the 55 to
65 age group, partially balanced by an increase in the 65 to 75 age group.
There was a substantial reduction in the deaths from coronary disease in those
aged 75 and over, but it may be that some of those who died from respiratory
disease partially as a result of the influenza epidemics might otherwise have
died from coronary disease. It is too soon to say that deaths from coronary
disease have reached their peak in Edmonton and are declining.
BRONCHITIS AND PNEUMONIA
The second wave of the influenza epidemic though less widespread, was
more severe than the first wave. It attacked the old and produced an increase
in the number of cases of fatal pneumonia and bronchitis, recurrent fog may
well have reduced the resistance of many of the elderly.
There should be less fog in future years and the day-to-day soiling
of the air should also be less as a result of the smoke control programme.
Factory smoke is decreasing, and at least one area in the town will become free
from visible smoke each year from 1959 onwards.
There is some evidence that the teenagers who are in many ways the
most sensible section of the community are forsaking the cigarette. Thirty
years hence therefore, bronchitis should be ceasing to be a serious problem.
CANCER OF THE LUNG
This disease is undoubtedly mainly a disease of smokers. Most of
the victims are cigarette smokers but cigarette smoking at the present day is
much more common than pipe smoking. It has been suggested that the extrovert
type of personality is likely to become a smoker and likely to develop lung
cancer and that the two things are coincidental. Investigations so far undertaken
however, indicate that pipe smokers are in general even more introverted
than non-smokers, and yet show a substantially higher incidence of lung cancer.
It is clear that whether or not one is susceptible to lung cancer, tobacco
smoking substantially increases one's chances of getting it.
The annual increase in deaths from lung cancer is a ghastly tribute
to the brilliant advertising campaigns of the tobacco manufacturers.
HYPERTENSIVE HEART DISEASE
The drop in the deaths from this form of heart disease was again in
the 55 to 65 age group. It is difficult to say whether this is due to a
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