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
Merton and Morden 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton & Morden]
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CAUSES OF DEATH.
Heart Disease. This group of diseases maintains its position
as the chief cause of death. It was responsible for 108
deaths giving a death rate for the group of 1.5 per thousand
population, the same as in 1937.
In 19 instances, the disease took the form of endocarditis
with valvular lesions but the remaining 89 were due to degeneration
of the myocardium associated with senile changes
or other chronic concurrent illness.
Cancer. Cancer deaths at 90 were three less than previously
and the death rate for this cause fell slightly to 1.2
per thousand population. As before it was the second chief
cause of mortality and showed a heavier incidence among
women, 55 females dying of the disease as against 35 males.
The following table classifies these deaths by the sites affected:—
| Group | Cancer of | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | Buccal Cavity and Pharynx | 1 | - | 1 |
| 46 | Digestive organs and peritoneum— | |||
| Oesophagus | 4 | — | 4 | |
| Stomach | 4 | 6 | 10 | |
| Liver and gall bladder | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Intestines | 5 | 9 | 14 | |
| Rectum and Anus | 8 | 6 | 14 | |
| Peritoneum | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 47 | Respiratory Organs— | |||
| Mediastinum | 1 | — | 1 | |
| Larynx | — | — | — | |
| Bronchus | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Lungs | 4 | 3 | 7 | |
| 48 | Uterus | — | 6 | 6 |
| 49 | Other female genital organs | — | 4 | 4 |
| 50 | Breast | — | 11 | 11 |
| 51 | Male Genito-Urinary Organs | 1 | — | 1 |
| 52 | Skin | 1 | - | 1 |
| 53 | Other Organs— | |||
| Thyroid | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Brain | 1 | — | 1 | |
| Kidney (female) | — | 2 | 2 | |
| Unspecified | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Totals | 35 | 54 | 89 | |
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