CAUSES OF DEATH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 3 September 1934, Page 8

CAUSES OF DEATH

SOME CHANGES In 1 HHiI tile dentil rate from violence reached its peak. In I‘KH this was found to he mainly attrilmtahle to motor-ear accidents' In the two succeeding years it has dropped considerably says the annual report of the Health Department. In 1!);!2 deaths from suicide increased to 2-10: lint last year they dropped to 200, which represents the average rate for deaths from this cause. It is understood that motor-car mileage has great lv reduced in the last two years. It is of interest to note that last year there was a substantial drop in the death rate from "apoplexy" and "diseases of arteries." Whether or not this is attributable to reduced luxury and speed is a matter of speculative interst. Outstanding c\ ceptions to an otherwise improving table are increasing death rates from heart disease and cancer, particularly the former. The heart disease rate shows a definite and considerable increase in the live-year period and the cancer rate a slight, one. In both instances the inereashig length of life may be included as a contributing case. lancer, owing perhaps to its invasive and dread ellVcts. has captured public sentiment in many countries, and much thought and money are applied to research into its cause and treatment. Heart disease however, is nearly twice as fatal.