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As compared with 1932, there were increases of 13 deaths from
influenza, 3 from cancer, 12 from pneumonia and 10 from violence;
while there were decreases of 15 deaths from tuberculosis, 16 from
heart disease and 4 from bronchitis.
The principal causes of death are shown in Table I on page 13.
From this we see that:—
(1) The number of deaths from tuberculosis has shown a welcome
decrease (23 as against 38).
(2) The number of deaths from heart disease has also decreased
by 16, or 10 per cent. The total number is still large, however,
although, as before, the major proportion of deaths occurred as a
terminal event in elderly persons.
(3) Once again the number of deaths from influenza has
increased. There was an increase of no less than 13 in the total
during 1933, and it is significant that the number has been actually
doubled during the last two years. Influenza must not be treated
lightly; if it is, the consequences are apt to be disastrous, and too
much emphasis cannot be laid upon this point. Until a specific
remedy for influenza is discovered, each case should be watched
with the utmost gravity. In the meantime, early diagnosis and
adequate treatment, hospitalisation of severe cases (which is available
in Southgate) and the intelligent co-operation of the patient
hold out the best promise of success. As long as the public fail to
realise fully the great danger of this scourge it will continue to take
its toll upon human life. Medical skill is useless unless the cases
are treated early and unless the doctor's instructions are followed
to the letter. If such is done, influenza will lose some at least of
its terrors, and it is to be hoped that every care will be taken to
ensure that no loopholes are left in the campaign against this disease.
(4) Deaths from violence (almost entirely made up of accidents)
have increased considerably, although there was one less suicide
in the district. This regrettable state of affairs is part and parcel
of our complex civilisation, and is one in which the personal factor
plays by far the greatest part.
(5) There are no classes of death which can be attributed to
special detrimental conditions, such as factory employment, type
of work, atmospheric conditions, etc., in the district. This is
satisfactory and needs little comment.
Infantile Mortality.—There were 19 (1 illegitimate) deaths of
infants under 1 year of age, which give an infantile death-rate of
33.33 per 1,000 births registered, as compared with 25 deaths and a
rate of 38.40 in the preceding year.
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