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In recent years public attention has been drawn to the increasing
death rate due to cancer of the lung and during the year the Minister
of Health addressed a circular to Local Authorities drawing attention to
the Medical Research Council's conclusion that the most reasonable interpretation
of the very great increase in deaths from lung cancer in
males during the past twenty-five years was that a major part of it was
caused by smoking tobacco, particularly heavy cigarette smoking. The
Council point to the evidence derived from investigations in many
countries in support of this conclusion, in particular to identification of
several carcinogenic substances in tobacco smoke.
In Wimbledon deaths from cancer of the lung were higher than
last year, as was the case for the country as a whole. Deaths from influenza
in Wimbledon were only slightly higher than last year, despite
the epidemic of "Asian flu" which occurred in the autumn.
The tuberculosis death rate shewed another sharp decline and at
0.05 was the lowest on record. The figure for England and Wales was
0.11.
Notifications of infectious disease amounted to 898 compared
with 344 in 1956. The increase was accounted for almost entirely by
the prevalence of measles in the first half of the year. For the eighth
successive year no cases of diphtheria occurred in Wimbledon. Freedom
from diphtheria can create the impression among many young people,
who have never heard of a case of diphtheria, that the danger from this
dreaded disease has disappeared. This is not so, diphtheria could return
in its old killing epidemic form and it is only by maintaining a high
level of immunity that the population will be safeguarded from the
return of this disease.
There were ten confirmed cases of poliomyelitis, seven of them
being associated with paralysis. There were two deaths from this
disease, these being the only deaths from infectious diseases during the
year.
Vaccination against poliomyelitis proceeded throughout the year
and although the supplies of vaccine were limited it was possible to
vaccinate with two injections over 2,000 registered children. At the
end of the year the scheme was extended to take in more age groups
but work on these did not commence until early in 1958.
I should like to take this opportunity of expressing to the Chairman
and Members of the Health Committee my appreciation for the consideration
and courtesy which they have shewn to me during the year.
I should also like to express my thanks to all those associated with
the local Health and social services, both official and voluntary, for their
continued co-operation during the year. In particular I would like to
thank Mr. Cockell, the Senior Public Health Inspector, and Mr.
Richardson, my Chief Clerk, for their contribution towards the production
of this Report.
I am much indebted to my colleagues in other Departments for
their ready help on all occasions.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,
P. J. DOODY,
Medical Officer of Health.
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