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Although the infant mortality rate of 20.0 shows an increase over 1961, it is still
below the national figure of 21.4. The causes of the infant deaths giving rise to this
figure are set out in the body of the report and it will be seen that they are all conditions
which in the present state of knowledge are not capable of prediction or prevention.
Further, most of these conditions are also the basic causes of still births, so that a great
deal of effort must be made to try to ascertain the reason for these mishaps, in order
that the required preventive measures can be applied.
The remainder of the local statistics follow broadly the pattern experienced over
recent years. Cancer, heart and arterial disease are the principal killers, and it is
worthy of note that lung cancer has killed 8 more women (13 as against 5) than it did
last year. Lung cancer has been regarded as almost completely a male prerogative, but
these figures are disturbing. The Royal College of Physicians' report on Smoking and
Health published during the year, made abundantly clear the causal relationship between
heavy cigarette smoking and lung cancer. Much publicity is being exercised to drive
this point home, particularly in the case of younger people who have not yet become
addicted; a ceaseless pursuance of this theme is a principal present day need.
The report of the Chief Public Health Inspector sets out in detail the statistics of the
work of the department in its various aspects, and shows how wide a field is covered
in public health day to day activities. Much of the work is routine - may be monotonous,
may be very interesting at times - but none the less necessary. Its success is judged by
the lack of incident aroused - it only becomes news when something untoward occurs,
which possibly might have been prevented. The manner in which this work has been
performed reflects great credit on Mr. Jenkins, the Chief Public Health Inspector, and
his colleagues in the Public Health Department, and their co-operation and support has
been most encouraging. The local practitioners and the medical staffs of the local
hospitals also have been most co-operative, and always ready to help in the solution of
any particular problem. Finally, mention must be made of the great interest shown and
help given by the Chairman and members of the Public Health Committee; their cooperation
and support has been most valuable, and has gone a long way towards making
the work a pleasure.
I am,
Your obedient Servant,
O. C. DOBSON,
Medical Officer of Health.
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