London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Southgate 1961
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southgate]
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conclusively that such a connection did exist. A full report on
this particular subject more properly belongs to the Annual Report
for 1962, but I make no apology for mentioning such an extremely
important matter. Although actual deaths from lung cancer have
very substantially and tragically increased in this country since
1940, the local picture is fortunately not so striking, as the following
tables will show :
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | 31 | 5 |
| 1953 | 20 | 6 |
| 1954 | 35 | 6 |
| 1955 | 35 | 9 |
| 1956 | 28 | 9 |
| 1957 | 39 | 9 |
| 1958 | 24 | 9 |
| 1959 | 43 | 8 |
| 1960 | 42 | 5 |
| 1961 | 30 | 9 |
| 1952 | 31 | 13 |
| 1953 | 34 | 19 |
| 1954 | 19 | 11 |
| 1955 | 27 | 16 |
| 1956 | 21 | 12 |
| 1957 | 27 | 14 |
| 1958 | 23 | 19 |
| 1959 | 37 | 16 |
| 1960 | 20 | 14 |
| 1961 | 31 | 13 |
From this table it will be seen that deaths arising from cancer
and bronchitis have not increased in Southgate within the past
10 years to any substantial extent. This should in no way prevent
us from continuing our efforts to discourage smoking, especially
among children and young people. As I have said, however, the
measures which we have already taken, and are still taking, to
achieve this end belong to the Annual Report for 1962. It is
interesting to note that, although the year 1952 was the year in
which 'smog' was so prevalent in Greater and Central London,
the deaths from bronchitis in Southgate were not unduly heavy.
I have already remarked on the fact that the Southgate Public
Health department is extremely fortunate in its staff. I am equally
happy to repeat the statement which I made last year, that our
relations with the burgesses as a whole are extremely pleasant.
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