[Report 1971] / Medical Officer of Health, Wellingborough U.D.C.

  • Wellingborough (England). Urban District Council.
Date:
1971
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1971] / Medical Officer of Health, Wellingborough U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    early cancer, and finally tertiary, the amelioration of or delay in deterioration in the chronic diseases such as those affections of bones and joints that cause so much long term suffering and crippling; and finally to anticipate the needs of the elderly early and prevent breakdown. There still remains a heavy toll of early and unnecessary death, particularly from arterial disease resulting in coronary thrombosis and strokes; from accidents in the home and on the road; and in the need to detect early cancer. Details on these subjects are included in Section A of the report. Finally, research into the causation of disease proceeds concurrently, and for this adequate resources are required. In the field of mental illness, while many material anxieties have been removed there is no lessening of this affliction. Is the occurrence of mental illness higher or lower in countries where individual freedom is curtailed, where life has to be endured rather than enjoyed ? We know that during the War there was little neurotic illness. When the need for aggression, for discipline even endurance is removed, there would appear to be no lessening of mental illness. Instead aggression appears in the form of car accidents, vandalism and crime; lack of discipline in sexual promiscuity (with an increase in venereal disease) and drug taking; and perhaps the elimination of the need to endure hardship in neurosis and depression The etiology of mental illness is a perplexing one, and while many are employed in endeavouring to alleviate sickness already established, few are yet considering its primary prevention. I recollect at the inception of the National Health Service hearing the view that full provision of medical care, together with advances in techniques, would soon eliminate the need for that branch of the profession whose practice was devoted to prevention. It would appear instead that, though the objectives may change, the challenge is as great as ever. On a personal note, I had the honour to hold office as Chairman of the Northampton Division of the British Medical Association; was appointed Chairman of the Oxford Region of Public Health Medical Officers for the fourth year; and represented that Region, again for the fourth year, on the Public Health Committee of the British Medical Association. I was also again appointed to the Whitley Council Staff Side. The Chief Public Health Inspector, Mr. A„ J. Stroud, and his staff are thanked for their helpful co-operation during the year. Mr. Stroud provides the Council with a separate Annual Report, of which certain passages are quoted in this report and which are acknowledged with thanks.