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The second object of voluntary notification is stated by Sir
Shirley F. Murphy to be that treatment can be applied to those suffering
from the disease, namely, the medical supervision of the sufferers, the
selection of cases which it is desirable to remove to public institutions,
and the examination of the remaining persons in the family. In the case
of those actually suffering, there can be no doubt that if they are removed
sufficiently early many would be more or less permanently cured ; but
unfortunately it is usually the case, that when such sufferers seek medical
advice the disease has progressed too far to allow sanatorium treatment to
be of any great avail. Under any circumstances this work could be far
better done by those who are experienced in the selection of such cases for
hospital than by medical officers of health, who frequently have had little
experience in deciding at what stage of the disease such removal is advantageous
or not. With regard to the examination of the remaining persons
in the family with a view of detecting cases of the disease, this would, of
course, have to be done by a medical man, and could not be entrusted to a
sanitary inspector. So far as I am concerned, it is work that would be
pleasant and interesting, but it would practically mean taking up one
man's whole time.
In conclusion, in spite of the quarter from which the recommendation
comes, and realising to the full the responsibility of disagreement,
I can only reiterate my previous opinion, and recommend the
Council to take no action.
(Signed) FRANCIS STEVENS, Medical Officer of Health.
There were 220 deaths from cancer, as compared with
229 in the previous year. As usual, all these occurred in
advanced life, and there was proportionately a greater number
of fatalities in North Camberwell. In view of no great change
having been made in the treatment, it is difficult to suppose
that the decrease is anything more than accidental, but there
is no doubt that the death-rate from this disease might be
decreased if people after middle life would, on the appearance
of any sore which is found to be obstinate to treatment, or
any tumours which grow rapidly, at once seek medical advice ;
for at present the only chance of cure seems to be surgical
interference at the onset of the disease.
The deaths under the combined heading of alcoholic
disease and cirrhosis of the liver, together with that of
granular kidney, show a decrease; and it is to be hoped that
the decrease in the last two, which are not infrequently due to
the use of ardent spirits, is due to a more moderate use of
such stimulants.
The question of the Verminous Persons Act arose on a
report of Dr. Wanklyn and its administration in London, and
it was decided to let the public know that there were facilities