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27
Alcoholism.
The number of deaths registered and ascribed to the consumption of Alcohol
was 76, as compared with 102 in 1902 and 100 in 1901. It will be thus seen that
there is a marked reduction during the last year. It may perhaps be argued that
this improvement is due to the large and increasing number of Jews in the district,
who are undoubtedly more moderate in this particular generally than the native
population. I do not think this explanation is conclusive, as there is less drunkenness
in recent years throughout the whole country, and the same reduction is manifest
in other districts where the number of Jews is negligeable. I am of opinion
that there is a wave of temperance passing over the land.
Cancer.
The number of deaths from Cancer increased from 201 in 1902 to 223 in 1903.
This dread disease is, I believe, definitely on the increase in this district as well as
in nearly all other districts.
It is not quite fair to compare the number of deaths from this disease in
recent years to what it was in former years, as at that time the disease, especially
where it attacked internal organs, was incorrectly diagnosed and the deaths were
ascribed to some other diseases.
It is, however, perfectly just to compare the number of deaths from year to
year in recent times as the means at our disposal for obtaining an accurate
diagnosis have not appreciably increased from that period. When this test is
applied, the same progressive increase is continually being manifested.
Notifiable Diseases.
1,866 cases of infectious disease were notified. Of this number, 499
only were treated at home or died before they could be removed to the various
hospitals.
265 occurred in the Limehouse District.
232 occurred in the St. George's District.
461 occurred in the Mile End District.
409 occurred in the Whitechapel District.