View report page

5
1960 and seven deaths in the first seven months of 1961.
Parents would be well advised to heed this warning and ensure
that their children are kept fully immunised.
For the second year in succession no case of poliomyelitis
occurred in the Borough. There can be little doubt
that this satisfactory result is, substantially, due to the intensive
poliomyelitis vaccination of children and young
adults in recent years. A further interesting development
which may have far-reaching consequences is the introduction
of a new type of vaccine which is given by the mouth
(oral vaccine). It is evident from extensive trials carried out
in various parts of the world that it is both safe and effective.
In the meantime, it behoves all parents and all adults
within the approved age limit (at present 40 years) to avail
themselves to the fullest extent, both for their children and
for themselves, of the fully-tried procedure at present in use
which is known to be at least 90 per cent effective for those
persons receiving three or more doses.
During 1960, there were 39 deaths from cancer of the
lung—the highest number recorded in the Borough in any
one year. The annual figures for the previous nine years were
20,16, 16, 13, 18, 17, 21, 22 and 24. The increased incidence
and associated mortality are, of course, a national problem.
It is now ten years since the first publication of evidence
in this country, of the close association between cancer of
the lung and heavy cigarette smoking and there must be few
people from the age of 15 years and upwards who are not
aware of the danger; and yet the consumption of cigarettes
goes up and up. The report of the Commissioners of H.M.
Customs and Excise, for the year ended 31st March, 1960,
indicates that the big increase in tobacco smoking in Britain
sent the Customs and Excise revenue up, during that year,
7 £52 million to £788 million—the department's highest
single revenue rise. Tobacco clearances for consumption rose
by more than 17 million lbs. to 262 million lbs. and the
report makes it clear that the increase was due, in the main,
to an increased consumer demand.
It may be of some use to re-state the facts. The consump™
of tobacco rose from 1 ly million lbs. in 1900 to over
225 million lbs. in 1958. In 1900, deaths from lung cancer
were eight per million of the population—in 1958, 440 per
million. In the past eight years' 125,000 deaths have occurred
from lung cancer in England and Wales alone—many more
than all accidental deaths on the roads, in the home and in
industry.