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18
some extent be due to the fact that longevity is increasing
and that cancer is to a considerable extent a disease of old
age. It is, however, rather disconcerting that out of the 56
deaths from cancer 8 took place before the age of 45, and 28
between the ages of 45 and 65. The cause of cancer is still
unknown and not very much is known even of the predisposing
factors, but it certainly looks as if there were something
in modern conditions of life (possibly in the feeding habits of
the people) which is favourable to the production of cancer.
There is as yet no known method of prevention.
Heart disease comes next to Cancer in importance and
accounts for a large proportion of the total deaths (about 10%).
An important element in the production of Heart disease is
Rheumatic Fever, another disease of which the causation is
not fully understood and against which there are no welldefined
lines of attack.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis (Consumption) remains an
important cause of death. It accounted for 28 deaths,
corresponding to a death rate of 0.5 per 1,000. It cannot be
said that the special measures directed against Tuberculosis
have met with conspicuous success. Sanatorium treatment
remains the most successful form of treatment and undoubtedly
brings about an arrest of the disease in many cases,
especially cases which are admitted at an early stage of the
disease. The disappointing feature about it is that many of
these "cured" cases break down again after returning to
face the strain of ordinary life.
Of recent years, however, it has been apparent that a
gradual fall in the Tuberculosis Death Rate was taking place
and this is probably associated with the improvement of
housing conditions and general sanitation which (though to
some extent interrupted by the War) has been fairly steadily
taking place, together with increased prosperity and a rise in
the standard of living. What effect the present period of
difficulty, unemployment and financial stress will have, remains
to be seen, but probably if a fairly rapid recovery
is made, the adverse effect will not be marked.
Bronchitis and Pneumonia are the next most important
causes of death. These again, are diseases against which no
well defined methods of attack have been developed. As long
as our changeable climate continues they will probably always
remain important causes of death. Improved housing,
clothing and feeding should do something to prevent their
occurrence and a liberal provision of hospital accommodation
might do much to diminish their fatality.