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
Woolwich 1914
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
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| Seat of Primary Disease. | Aver. 1903-5 | Aver. 1906-10 | 1911 | 1912 | 1913 | 1914 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head and face | 0.7 | 1.4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - |
| Mouth and tongue | 1.7 | 0.6 | — | 1 | — | 2 |
| Pharynx, oesophagus, larynx, and neck | 1.7 | 1.4 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Pleura, lung, mediastinum | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1 | 1 | - | 1 |
| Stomach and Pylorus | 5.7 | 7.6 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 10 |
| Intestines, excluding rectum | 0.7 | 4.2 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Rectum and anus | 3.0 | 6.8 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 11 |
| Liver | 7.3 | 8.6 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 7 |
| Peritoneum and omentum | 0.3 | 0.4 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Kidney and bladder | — | 1.2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — |
| Genital organs | 160 | 136 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 16 |
| Breasts | 9.7 | 8.6 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 18 |
| Limbs | - | 0.4 | - | - | - | - |
| Pancreas | - | 0.2 | 1 | 1 | - | 2 |
| Pelvis and groin | 0.7 | - | - | - | - | 1 |
| Undefined | 0.7 | 1.6 | 1 | 3 | 3 | — |
| 48.9 | 57.2 | 57 | 56 | 68 | 72 |
Last year had the highest recorded cancer death-rate.
As compared with the three years 1903-5 the chief increase
was in males. In men there was a great increase under
carcinoma of the mouth, throat, and intestines; and in
women under the stomach, rectum, and breast.
Increase of cancer of the stomach, intestines, and rectum,
may be due to improved diagnosis. The greater incidence
of cancer on the mouth or throat can hardly be accounted
for in this way.
It is seen from these two tables that cancer affects the
mouth, tongue, pharynx, oesophagus, and larynx of men
much more than similar organs of females, and to a small
extent men have more cancer of the stomach than women,
though in the past two years the contrary has been the case
in Woolwich.
Causes of Cancer. The special enquiry into the habits of