PUBLIC HEALTH

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 September 1934, Page 8

PUBLIC HEALTH

DEPT.’S ANNUAL REPORT “Freedom from virulent attacks of infectious .diseases has been the principal factor contributing to the reduction of the Dominion’s general death rate in the last five years,” states the annual report of the Health Department, which was presented in the House last week. “Some of these, such as diphtheria, scarlet fever, measles, and whoopingcough, have a cyclical epidemic tendency at intervals of several years. During the past 50 years, although epidemics of these four diseases have occurred with regular frequency, there has been a remarkable • reduction throughout that period in mortality from these causes, and during the past five years that reduction has been mhititaihed. “There has been a similar reduction in mortality from typhoid fever, diarrhoea and enteritis, and pulmonary diseases of an infectious nature, ineliding tuberculosis. ’‘Less can be said concerning influenza if we include the pandemic of 1918-19 as ordinary influenza, or do not attribute its then exalted virulence to world-war factors. Since 1919 we have experienced epidemics of influenza with severe, but not serious, effect. Preparedness at all times to deal With a local outbreak of this disease is, of course, necessary. There has been not serious epidemic of in-' fantile paralysis since 1925, but many mild cases of this disease presenting systematic symptoms, but little actual paralysis, occurred throughout the < Dominion in 1932. “The death-rate from violence ’ reached its peak in 1931. On analysis by the Government Statistician this was found to be mainly attributable to motor-car accidents. In the two succeeding years it has dropped considerably. In 1932, deaths from suicide increased to 240, but last year dropped to 200, which represents an average

rate for deaths from this cause. It is understood that motor-car mileage has greatly reduced in the last two years. HEART DISEASE AND CANCER. “It is of interest to note that last year there was a substantial drop in the death-rate from apoplexy and diseases of the arteries. Whether or not this is attributable to reduced luxury and speed is a matter of speculative interest. “Outstanding exceptions to an otherwise improving table are the increasing death rates from heart disease and cancer, particularly the former. The heart disease rate shows a definite and considerable increase in the five-year period, the cancer rate a slight one. In both instances increasing length of life may be included -as a contributing cause. Cancer,- Owing, -perhaps to its invasive and dread effects, has captured pub- ! lie sentiment in many countries and much thought and money are applied , to research into its cause and treat- I ment. < “Heart disease, however, is nearly j twice as fatal. Certain diseases such as rheumatic fever, diphtheria, and ( other common infectious diseases are ( regarded as predisposing to heart and c arterial disease, yet, despite the L knoWn reduction in- virulence of these s diseases in New Zealand, heart dis- t ease continues to take increasing toll t of human lives. Statistically, it is a c very prominent figure in the death- s< rate being the cause of 3098 n: deaths.in a total of 11,701. Last year tl heart disease, apoplexy, and diseases rt of the arteries accounted jointly for ir

4026 deaths in a grand total of 11,701, or 34 per cent of the whole. “This is surely an important field for investigation by the department, medical practitioners, life insurance companies, and the general public. InNew .Zealand, the average expecta- . tion of life at birth is now 62 years. ■ Although this constitutes a world’s record, probably it can be lengthened, ■ and the magnitude of these figures ; for heart and arterial diseases marks them out as worthy of special attention.” PNEUMONIA. “There is reason to believe that many of these deaths can be prevent-1 ed,” states the annual report of the Health Department when referring to the deaths, last year, totalling 649” arising out of pnenwnia, broncho-pneu-monia and bronchitis. Of this total 242 were due solely to pneumonia. The report said that in some countries the experiment had been tried of making every pneumonia case compulsorily notifiable and attempting isolation. Apparently the results achieved had not justified the expense and trouble thereby involved, but the fact remained that probably a large proportion of these illnesses were infectious. All associated with epidemics of influenza, measles, whooping cough, or diphtheria certainly were. Again, when in the absence of a recognised outbreak of such common infectious diseases, groups of pneumonia dr broncho-pneumonia cases occurred in a community, affecting in considerable measures virile young adults, adolescents, and children, of which it could bo said the infecting agent was virulent, then measures could be taken which gave promise of considerably reducing the death rate ’from these lung ailments. Suer measures were complete case-isolation to be practised by doctor and nurse, and convalescents to bo restrained from close contact with other persons, attendance at indoor public gatherings, ’ etc., until they had completely re- 1 covered. ' £

' DENTAL DISEASE. ! “It is an accepted fact that dental disease is the most prevalent disease that affects civilised communities in our time and unfortunately New Zealand is no exception,” states the report. “Indeed, notwithstanding the many natural advantages enjoyed by the Dominion, there is good reason to believe that it ranks as high as, if not considerably higher than other civilised countries in regard to the incidence of this disease. “A solution is being sought of the problem of why immunity to dental disease has been lost, and how it may be restored. Everything points to deficiencies in our modern diet as being I responsible for the present-day lack of immunity to dental disease, and it is on this basis that investigations are being conducted. “In this connection it is interesting to observe that the Maori, who was once noted for his perfect teeth, has lost his immunity and is now practically as susceptible to dental disease as the pakeha,” the report continues. “This is strikingly demonstrated by the figures compiled by Mr Luke Rangi, dental officer to native schools, which show that there is very little difference between the incidence of dental disease of native and white children. They are almost equally bad, but it is significant, although not surprising, that the teeth are in better condition in the native schools 1 that are more remote from the ‘white’ 5 centres of population. Mr Rangi’s obserrations clearly indicate that the more inaccessible the locality, the more f the community is thrown on its own 1 resources in regard to food, the more £ immune it is to dental disease.” t