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Heart disease, in one form or another was, as usual, the principal
cause of mortality, 293 deaths being attributable to this group of diseases.
Of the total, which was an increase of 39 on last year's figure, 161 were
due to coronary disease of the heart. Cancer was the second greatest
cause of death although the total deaths (131) were less than in the
preceding year.
Deaths from cancer of the lung showed a welcome decrease following
the big rise in 1961 but the proportion of male deaths due to lung cancer
was again relatively high.
In December arrangements were made for a mobile Health Education Unit
provided by the Central Council for Health Education in co-operation with
the Ministry of Health to visit a number of Secondary Schools and Youth
Organisations in Wimbledon in connection with the campaign to discourage
smoking among children and young adults and to prevent the smoking habit.
The mobile unit was staffed by two University Graduates who had been
specially trained and briefed to deliver talks on the subject of smoking
and health and were expert in the use of visual aids. The Unit's programme
was very well presented and was fully employed during its' stay in
Wimbledon but there is no way at present of assessing the results of the
campaign.
Eight deaths were reported from motor vehicle accidents, this being
two less than last year. All other accidents accounted for fourteen
deaths which was two more than in the previous year. Suicides accounted
for nine deaths, the same number as in 1961.
It is most gratifying to be able to report a substantial fall in the
number of new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis notified during the year.
Only 22 cases were notified compared with 34 in 1961. This is a most
encouraging sign and it is hoped that this downward trend will continue.
The treatment of tuberculosis by modern drugs has completely altered the
aspects of this disease and the mortality rate has been vastly reduced.
Only 4 deaths were attributable to tuberculosis in 1962 compared with 37
deaths a quarter of a century ago. The disease, however, retains its'
high infectivity and intensive search for early cases must continue. The
Mass Radiography Service has been of the greatest help in this respect.
The Year 1962, as a whole, was not a particularly notable one as
regards infectious disease but it commenced in a sensational manner due to
a number of cases of Smallpox being imported into this country by the
arrival by air of infected immigrants from Pakistan. This created many
problems and a considerable amount of additional work. Although no cases
of Snallpox occurred in Wimbledon there were a number of persons who had
been in contact with cases, or believed that they may have been, in addition
to travellers from Pakistan who were staying in Wimbledon, all of whom had
to be kept under regular surveillance. Another problem which had to be
dealt with was the overwhelming demand from the public for vaccination.
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