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This is the worst possible attitude of mind if the Clinics are to proceed with their work of
detecting the early case and providing for it suitable treatment. All that can be deduced from
statistics dealing with the origins of the disease is that there is no causal connection such as mentioned
above, neither is there any definite evidence that cancer is infectious, nor that a tendency to it can be
inherited. At the same time, each year has shown an improvement in surgical and other technique
(such as radium, X-rays, etc.) for the treatment of the disease, and it can now be safely said that in
some sites, not only is early cancer curable, but easily curable. Even in the more remote sites, cancer,
if taken early, shows a considerably greater successful-treatment rate than before.
The essential thing, therefore, is to get the knowledge of the disease early. For this the
unwholesome fears and secrecy associated with cancer must be swept away and facilities continued
for its detection and for setting in motion the best possible treatment at the earliest stage.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
During the year 1932, 2,164 cases of Infectious Disease were notified as compared with 2,212
in the previous year. The total of 2,164 includes 247 notifications of Diphtheria as compared with
310 in 1931. The lowest since 1916. 421 cases of Scarlet Fever as compared with 467 in 1931, 351
cases of Pneumonia as compared with 392 in 1931 and 673 cases of Whooping Cough as compared
with 514 in 1931.
Return Cases of Scarlet Fever.—The following statement gives the return cases that
have occurred during 1932:—
I. Home Cases.—Approximately 47.
(a) No. of infecting cases giving rise to return cases not longer than
28 days after release from isolation 0
„ return cases they gave rise to 0
„ infecting cases per cent. of total home cases 0
„ return cases per cent. of total home cases 0
(b) No. of infecting cases giving rise to return cases more than 28
days after release from isolation 1
„ return cases they gave rise to 1
„ infecting cases per cent. of total home cases 2.1
„ return cases per cent. of total home cases 2.1
II. Hospital Cases.—Approximately 374.
(a) No. of infecting cases giving rise to return cases not longer than
28 days after discharge 21
„ return cases they gave rise to 29
„ infecting cases per cent. of total hospital cases 5.6
„ return cases per cent. of total hospital cases 7.8
Note.—One of these return cases occurred after the 28 days, but the
first return case had occurred within the 28 days.
(b) No. of infecting cases giving rise to return cases more than 28
days after discharge 5
„ return cases they gave rise to 5
„ of infecting cases per cent. of total hospital cases 1.3
„ return cases per cent. of total hospital cases 1.3
Small Pox.—No cases of Small Pox were notified in 1932.
No vaccinations were performed by the Medical Officer of Health under the Public Health
(Small Pox Prevention) Regulations, 1917.
Typhoid Fever.—Ten cases were notified during 1932 as against 15 in 1931.
Six of these cases were removed to the Municipal Hospital. Of these 6, 1 was diagnosed as
Typhoid Fever. This was a severe toxic case which proved fatal. The patient was a man of 30 years,
employed as a traveller, who visited various parts of the country each week, returning to his home
in Willesden for the week-ends. One was diagnosed as Paratyphoid B and recovered. One was
diagnosed as scarlet fever, 1 as influenza, and 1 as gastro-enteritis. All these 3 recovered. The
sixth patient was diagnosed as suffering from enteritis and died, the immediate cause of death being
lobar pneumonia and erysipelas (postmortem held).
One case was admitted to University College Hospital and was progressing satisfactorily at
the end of the year.
The remaining 3 cases were nursed at home. Of these 1 proved fatal, a woman of 60 years,
the death being certified as due to (a) broncho pneumonia, (b) paratyphoid fever.