W.E.A. LECTURE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19472, 6 May 1925, Page 3

W.E.A. LECTURE.

CAUSES AND EFFECTS OP DISEASE. On Monday evening Dr Radcliff Taylor gave the first of a series of lectures to a VV.K.A. Clogs. The subject dealt with was “Disease, Its Extent, Causes, and Effects.” The speaker pointed out that at present, from Government statistics, the different causes of death could be learned, but so far there was no way of learning the extent of chronic ill-health and unhappiness or how many men could carry on h fujl extent of work. During the past 50 years in New Zealand there had been n considerable decrease in the death rate. This decrease occurred mainly in younger years, middle life remained much the same, while after 50 years of ago the rate was greater. Amongst some of the reasons causing this decrease were the followinglncreased medical knowledge ; the prevention of the spread of infectious diseases; the work done among the young by the Health Department; and, finally, amongst infants in New Zealand, the work of the Karila.no or Plunkct Society had done nmoh to lower the mortality. The three chief causes of death in later life were: Heart, 20 per cent..; cancer, 8 per cent. ; tuberculosis, 6 per cent. These diseases were of gradual onset, and could be greatly nolpcd. if not absolutely cured, if patients would seek advice early. Though disease might not actually cause death it might bo chronic, and so become a cause of considerable economic loss. A comparison between the lives of natives in their natural life with those of civilised peoples proved enlightening. The one lived simply, with fresh air in abundance, natural, unadulterated foods, and free exercise, while civilisation tended to cramp our activities, shut out, fresh air and sunshine, and by rod nement of foods to eliminate the properties necessary, to health. After the lecture a discussion took place, and a vote of thanks was accorded Dr Taylor for her very interesting and instructive lecture.