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of the population, A serious attempt is being made to assess these
factors at their proper value and to suggest ways in which the
brake might be applied One has only to look at the work of our
divorce courts, probation officers, the increasing number of
"problem families" and juvenile delinquency to appreciate that
the breaking point or something approaching the breaking point is
being reached in more and more families today We have still a
very long way to go before we find a solution to what I would
again stress is one of the most serious problems facing us today
But a solution must be found These matters are neither solely
theoretical nor the vapourings of abstract sociology. I mention
them here because the Public Health Department has a contribution
to make. 1 feel confident that the Council will afford us full
support in the efforts which we are taking to try to bring this
problem under control
Thirty-eight deaths from cancer were recorded in 1906 In
1931 the figure had risen to 69. In 1956,123 deaths were recorded
from cancer or comparable causes In this connection it must be
remembered that, because the population as a whole is now living
longer - it is estimated that the expectation of life of a child
born today is approximately 15 years longer than its grandparentsit
follows that many more individuals survive to the age when
cancer is more common Unfortunately, there are no figures which
show the comparative incidence of cancer of the lung in 1906 and
1956
We all know the vital part which health education plays in
our health programme today. Although the cost of health education
is infinitesimal when compared with the cost of other services, it
has been proved beyond dispute that health education has played
and is continuing to play a vital part in teaching us how to avoid
disease and how to maintain positive health Yet. in the Report
of the Medical Officer for 1906 the only specific reference which
I can find to health education techniques refers to infantile
diarrhoea The paragraphs in question read as follows
"The circular which I printed in my last Annual Report has been
left at every house from which a birth is registered, the lists
being supplied each week by the Registrar, and I am glad to say
so far as I can judge, it has been appreciated In several instances,
where parents have mislaid the circular, application has
been made for another to be sent "
"The question of the appointment of a lady Health Visitor
has been brought under the notice of the Council and is receiving
the consideration of the Health and Sanitary Committee "
We have gone a very long way since then and, although it is
still difficult to assess the value of health education, either in
pounds, shillings and pence or in actual health and well-being,
it must be clear that our efforts have not been in vain. Health
education has been a prominent feature in Wood Green for many
years, I have never hesitated to invoke the aid of the press and
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