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 1921
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
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TABLE No. 8.
| Seat of Primary Disease. | Males. | Females. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tongue | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Tonsils | 2 | — | 2 |
| Pharynx | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Œsophagus | 9 | — | 9 |
| Stomach | 18 | 15 | 33 |
| Liver and Gall Bladder | 9 | 8 | 17 |
| Intestines | 9 | 15 | 24 |
| Rectum | 13 | 13 | 26 |
| Uterus | — | 21 | 21 |
| Ovary | — | 3 | 3 |
| Breast | — | 15 | 15 |
| Skin | 3 | — | 3 |
| Larynx | 1 | — | 1 |
| Lung | 1 | — | I |
| Pancreas | — | 2 | 2 |
| Prostate | 5 | — | |
| Bones | — | 1 | 1 |
| Other specified organs | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Abdominal Cavity (unspecified) | - | 3 | 3 |
| Other and undefined | - | 1 | 1 |
| 75 | 101 | 176 |
The deaths from cancer each year continue to increase
slowly and steadily, and cancer is playing a more important
part in the mortality figures of the Borough. In 1921 the
figures were the highest ever recorded, especially in the case
of females, and the death-rate is the highest we have known
in Woolwich.
The cause of cancer is unknown, but research is being
carried out in practically every country in the world, and
sooner or later the cause of this disease will be discovered.
We can say at present that it is not necessarily incurable and
that even in incurable cases some degree of effective treatment
can be carried out. In no disease, however, is an early
diagnosis and prompt treatment so essential to success, and