View report page

5
The harmful effects of smoking were again given national
publicity and every opportunity was taken to re-inforce this locally.
The help was enlisted of a special publicity unit of the Central
Council for Health Education, to direct information on this subject
to school children. Although it was only possible to arrange visits
of the unit to a few schools, it is believed that the impact was
worthwhile. In common with many authorities it is felt that the
greatest hope of success in this field is in deterring young people
from starting to smoke.
The deaths from cancer of the cervix uteri of five married or
widowed women, three aged sixty-nine years, one aged forty-eight
years and one aged forty years, are recorded. These deaths are
of special significance in view of the recent publicity given to the
development of techniques for the early diagnosis of this condition
by cytological investigation.
With regard to deaths from other causes, reference must be
made to the increase in anginal deaths but this was largely compensated
by a reduction in deaths from other heart diseases.
Unfortunately, there was quite a marked increase in the
number of deaths due to accidents in the home, most of the victims,
as usual, being elderly folk who succumbed to the after effects of
injury due to a fall.
A welcome, but surprising, reduction has taken place in the
number of deaths from road accidents—surprising because, in my
opinion from personal observation, the four main factors are
still prevalent, namely, haste, impatience, selfishness and downright
bad manners by all categories of road users.
The question of additives to foodstuffs is a controversial
subject and during the year there was an instance of a raw meat
product, to which had been added an excess of a preparation for
enhancing its appearance, causing unpleasant symptoms to consumers.
The use of this preparation in such circumstances has
now been made illegal.
The unauthorised parking of caravans created even more concern
and nuisance than last year. Action was taken to remove no
less than four hundred and seventy-eight caravans from unauthorised
sites. The time and effort expended in this direction by a depleted
staff could well have been used in other activities.
In conclusion I would like to express my appreciation of the
service of the staff of the Health Department during the year.
William D. Hyde,
Medical Officer of Health.