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respiratory systems and with malignant disease. The former preponderance
of death from respiratory disease (largely due to the then high
tuberculosis mortality) has given place to diseases of the heart and
blood vessels. Heart disease has established itself firmly as the
commonest single cause of death.
Its recorded increase has been phenomenal ; the number of persons
dying in 1929, in comparison with the average annual deaths in the
decennium 1915-1924, has almost doubled.
In 1929, in fact, heart disease accounted for 219 out of 1,000 deaths
from all causes. Inasmuch as rheumatism has been shown to be the
commonest forerunner of heart disease, it is obvious that the care of
the rheumatic child calls urgently for attention.
Influenza, bronchitis and pneumonia showed a marked increase in
1929; cancer remains fairly stationary at the higher level of recent
years; pulmonary tuberculosis which, formerly, in Deptford ranked as
the third, now occupies the fifth place as the cause of death.
Conditions of Occupation or Environment prejudicially
affecting Health.
Occupation. No specially detrimental effects amongst workers in
any trade has been reported.
Environment. The adverse housing conditions and resulting
overcrowding still constitute most formidable barriers to an improvement
in public health. This matter is referred to under " Housing."
Public Mortuary.
During the year there were received the bodies of 333 persons who
had been residents of the following districts:—
Deptford 100
Greenwich 62
Lewisham 58
Bermondsey 50
Woolwich 38
Camberwell 5
Poplar 2
Shoreditch 1
St. Marylebone 1
City of London 2
Lambeth 1
Forest Gate 1
Walthamstow 2
Finchley 1
Beckenham 1
Barking 1
Sidcup 1
Erith 1
Wanstead 1
Bury St. Edmunds 1
South Shields 1
Bolton, Lanes. 1
Biggin Hill 1