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but the infant death rate shows a further decrease. This
is a satisfactory trend, but is off set by an alarming rise
in the still birth rate, and indicates that we cannot as
yet afford to be complacent about the standard of antenatal
and intrapartum care.
Although there has been an increase in both the number
of inhabited houses and in the estimated population of the
district, the two have not kept pace, and this means that
the housing problem has not been alleviated at all. While
little statutory overcrowding exists in the district, there
are far too many families living in exceedingly cramped
conditions and it is little wonder that mental strain is
rife at all ages.
Delegates from this Authority attended a one day
Conference on Cancer Education in January. The material
presented was excellent, and aroused much interest. It is
a common fault of medically trained people that they fail
to realise that the untrained know less than themselves
about disease, but would benefit by some information. The
intelligent man in the street still does not realise that
cancer is not inevitably a killing disease, and that many
people have been treated and cured. Opponents of cancer
education cite as their main argument the disastrous effects
(notably suicide) of fear of cancer. The number of people
thus affected is small, and where it is impossible to suit
everyone, the guiding rule should be the greatest good of
the greatest number., One of the chief weapons against any
hazard is knowledge and it seems ridiculous to imagine
that this is not applicable to medicine perfect knowledge
casteth out fear.
Following on the introduction of the Clean Air Act
steps were taken to draw up a plan of smoke control areas
which would cover the entire district in 10 years. With
the eager backing of the Council, and the co operation of
the public this work has proceeded well, and a detailed
account of it will be found in the Chief Public Health
Inspector's report. In connection with the clean air campaign
a smoke exhibition was staged at the Council's Dele
gate Conference held in November. The exhibition attracted
a large number of visitors who took advantage of the expert
advice available and asked many questions.
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