That the mortality from cancer shows definite variations in different parts of England is now generally believed. Various attempts have been made to ascertain whether any association exists between this variation in mortality and variations in certain features such as elevation and levelness of site, nature of soil and underlying geological formation, proximity to rivers liable to floods, etc., that characterise the several districts comprising different regions, and evidence both for and against the influence of one or other of these factors in predisposing to cancer has been brought forward at different times. An inquiry (1922) into the incidence of cancer in the registration districts in the Severn Valley for the decade 1901–10 seemed to indicate that no definite connexion existed between an excessive mortality rate from cancer and the foregoing factors. It was considered advisable, however, to continue the investigation in another part of the country to determine if the inferences drawn from the analysis of the Severn Valley data were confirmed or if any new features were brought to light. The region chosen included the districts drained by the Yorkshire Ouse, the Trent, the Cambridgeshire Ouse, and those that intervene.

In the handling of milk no single factor is of more importance than the cleanliness of the vessels used, and steam sterilisation is an essential part of correct cleansing technique of dairy utensils. Although several hundred dairy farmers have installed apparatus for steam sterilisation, the majority are still content with less efficient methods and rely upon “scalding” as the final operation in washing a utensil, although the water used for scalding is seldom at a sufficiently high temperature to kill many bacteria, and it is usually poured from one vessel to another in the hopes of efficiently finishing the cleansing processes although it is only comfortably warm to the fingers.

That the human race is extremely susceptible to the ravages of measles is well known, Brownlee not being guilty of much exaggeration when he states that, in the presence of infection, the only way to avoid this disease is to have had it. MacNalty (1918) states in his report on the subject to the Local Government Board that “the disease is so universal in this country that few children escape it,” this being particularly true in reference to the poorer urban classes. Butler (1913) found as a result of the study of the statistics for the public elementary schools of Willesden that among persons who had attained the age of 15 and upwards, only 2·7 per cent. had escaped measles. Zingher states that amongst children who have not previously suffered from the disease, and who are exposed to it, between 96 and 98 per cent. will develop it.