RHEUMATISM

Southland Times, Issue 19311, 1 August 1924, Page 7

RHEUMATISM

WHAT IT COSTS THE NATION. 3,000,000 WORKING WEEKS ANNUALLY LOST. LONDON, May 3. ‘The Incidence of Rheumatic Diseases” is the title of an important report issued by the Ministry of Health. The report reveals the fact that nearly one-sixth of the industrial invalidity of the country is due to diseases classed as “rheumatic.” Some rheumatic diseases are the precursors of heart diseases, and these stand first—except in “influenza years”—among the “killing maladies” of our country. The report deals with the observations made in 1922 by certain panel doctors. It has been prepared by a committee of the medical staff of the Ministry. Thus, it represents a combined effort, which includes a team or group inquiry by general practitioners—the first of its kind. Each year, it is estimated, these diseases are costing the Approved Societies nearly £2,000,000 in sick benefit, and the nation over 3,000,000 weeks of work, from the insured population alone. Half this loss, both of money and of time, is due to chronic joint diseases.

If, observes Sir George Newman, we feel appalled by the high attack of osteo-arthri-tis (inflammation involving both bones and joints )for elderly insured workers, we may console ourselves with the reflection that Professor Elliot Smith and Professor WoodJones found that both in Egypt and in Nubia arthritis was exceptionally common

from the earliest periods. “In one cemetery near the Assouan Cataract it is observed that the skeleton of practically every adult of both sexes above 30 years of age was affected with some degree of osteoarthritis. Professor F. G. Parsons has recently stated, from material gained by exploration of Saxon burial sites, that our Anglo-Saxon ancestors suffered severely from osteo-arthritis. In regard at least to acute rheumatism, there is some evidence of the disease becoming less virulent as well as less common. Dr. Reginald Miller has pointed out in his recent paper that the percentage of hospital in-patients suffering with acute rheumatism has been almost halved in recent years, and the attack rates for acute rheumatism found in this inquiry compare favourably with those recorded in Norwegian and German statistics.” DENTAL DECAY. It is recorded, among the Commissioner’s conclusions, that female insured workers show a higher incidence than male insured workers of the following diseases: Acute and sub-acute rheumatism, muscular rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, osteo-arthri-tis, and brachial neuritis. Male insured

workers show a much higher incidence than I female insured workers of lumbago, gout and sciatica. aftcrutiny of records created an impression tSt dental sepsis, whilst by no means the only casual factor, might be a factor of importance, but the data were not sufficiently precise to justify definite conclusions. Over 75 per cent, of the insured patients over the age of 25 exhibited dental sepsis i in some degree, whilst in the patients with chronic joint diseases the percentage was even higher. The inquiry, it is stated, has brought out many considerations which support the demand for further research. It is suggested i that the newer methods of treatment should be given a trial on a much larger scale in arthritic hospitals or units. PREVENTION OF HEART DISEASE. Finally, there is need for effort to prei vent the onset of heart disease in rheumatic people. “The concentration of acute rheumatic cases in a special hospital with cardiological and pathological departments, preferably situated in a country district, would probably be followed by a great advance in our knowledge of the disease and of the

prevention of valvular disease of the heart.” | The report throws little light on the pro- i found nervous disturbances which often ' accompany or follow rheumatism and which assuredly deserve special study. “Public gratitude, however,” says The Times, “must necessarily be aroused for the admirable work here presented and for the imagination which inspired it. There is no doubt at all that such studies are of vast national importance and should be pushed forward with all the energy and enthusiasm available.”