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advised to have prophylactic inoculation (T.A.B.). All
school children in Middlesex schools going abroad were
inoculated.
There were eight cases of death due to suicide, the
numbers of men and women being driven to this desperate
end being equal. This is far more for 1963 than all the
fatal road accidents, of which unhappily there were five.
Every year there are more cases of death due to suicide
and we need to ask ourselves whether, in this era of
increased affluence and creature comforts, there is not more
that the community could do to help these unfortunate
people in our midst deprived of hope. Neighbourliness and
genuine concern for their welfare can make all the
difference.
Detailed tables appear in this report concerning deaths
from coronary disease and cancer of the lung, showing the
age incidence and sex distribution. Also the causes of
deaths of infants in the first year of life have been classified.
Ten out of twenty such deaths occurred in the first 24
hours of life, and 16 before the end of the first week.
The Mass X-ray service carried out a survey of the
district in 1963 and during their time here visited factories
and other sites where the general public could make use of
their services. Whilst they were here 1,779 members of the
general public and 5,848 members of organised groups were
X-rayed. The results reported from the chest clinics were
ten active tuberculous cases found, five further cases under
observation and one case of cancer of the lung found.
Once again. I have much pleasure in thanking the
members of the Public Health Committee for their interest
and enthusiasm. The staff of the department, particularly
Mr. F. V. Bell, the Chief Public Health Inspector, have
been most helpful.
I have the honour to be.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
LOUISE A. MATHESON.
Medical Officer of Health.