CANCER CAUSING CONCERN Record Housing Year
The report of the Department of Health for Scotland issued recently shows a reasonably satisfactory situation.
The general death-rate showed a slight increase on last year—excusable in the circumstances since last year was a record. Maternal mortality also showed a slight increase, but with no analysis of causes available comment on this is impossible.
It is satisfactory to note that the deathrate from tuberculosis has declined which must probably be allied to the finding of the report that in distressed areas the nutritional state of the people is better than last year.
Over 18,500,000 days were lost last year by workers through rheumatism, influenza and gastric troubles.
Maternal mortality and the cancer deathrate, states the report, are causing some concern and constitute a problem which is receiving the attention it deserves.
Housing Progressing
Last year, local authorities built 18,651 houses, the greatest number ever achieved in one year in Scotland. This brings the number of working-class houses built since 1919 to a grand total of 235,000.
The report adds that more planning is needed in Scottish housing schemes.
A PYGMY OF THE CONGO The White Fathers of Kivu, in the Belgian Congo, have penetrated into the forests inhabited by the pygmies and have opened schools. The priest in the picture, Father Gaston Provoost, who has been in the Congo for twentyfive years, is asking the chief of the Batwa pygmies to send the children to