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2
An analysis of the vital statistics, along with a table showing
the comparative annual figures since 1892, are to be found in the
body of the report. (Page 16.)
The vital statistical figures contained in this report relate
only to illnesses which are notifiable, or those which have caused
death. The great mass of minor ailments, which cause so much
invalidity in the community, are not recorded; and a recent
war-time social survey undertaken by the Ministry of Health
gives no grounds for complacency. It is possible that reaction
after prolonged war strain may be formidable, and that the
improvement in vital statistics may not be maintained.
The Public Health.
It had been expected that the horrors and physical hardships
of intensive warfare would have a catastrophic effect on the
physical and mental health of the civil population; but there is
no evidence, at least from vital statistics, of any deterioration.
In spite of the many adverse influences endured—intensive bombing,
curtailment of essential services, disruption of family life,
large scale evacuation of the population, overcrowding, the
depressing effect of the black-out, etc.—the general health of the
community throughout the war years remained at a surprisingly
high level.
With regard to nutrition it may be said that—in consequence
of the more even distribution of food, sufficient in quantity and
quality to meet physical requirements—the general mass of the
population has never been better fed. Although few may
have had optimum feeding, no one had much short of it.
Six years is a long time for war-time food rationing, and if our
rations had been insufficient in food value we should by now be
having a great increase in deficiency diseases, but there is no
evidence of this. Since the end of hostilities there has been an
increase in illnesses, but they appear to be of mental rather than
physical origin. During the war years we have been shattered
mentally and morally, and only time will tell how much that
mental strain will give rise to increase in psychosomatic diseases
which do not respond well to treatment.
Infectious Diseases.
The general level of incidence of the commoner notifiable
infectious diseases still remains low, as it has done during the war
years. During the year under review measles was epidemic;