Patients back then were fearful of doctors. Not only were cancers very uncommon compared to today, they appear to have differed in other key respects. These figures suggest that breast cancer during the Victorian period was significantly less rapidly progressive than is the case today, probably due to the Victorians’ significantly higher intakes of a range of micro- and phytonutrients which slow cancer growth.
They typically ate eight to ten portions of fruit and vegetables daily, in a diet that contained far higher levels of vitamins and minerals than occur in today’s nutrient-depleted, refined and processed foods. They also consumed less salt, sugar, alcohol and tobacco.
This would explain why they were so effectively protected against cancer, and heart disease,–surprisingly, figures show that in the mid-Victorian period, cancers and heart disease were under 10 per cent of the levels we are experiencing today.
In summary, although the mid-Victorians lived as long as we do, they were relatively immune to the chronic degenerative diseases that are the most important causes of ill health and death today.
However some did succumb to the disease and here is a tragic story of one poor woman in Almonte. Please read the Almonte Gazette.. your past history awaits you.
A tragic case, came before *Mr. E. W. Smith, Almonte Justice of the Peace, who committed a man for trial. The elected instead asked to be tried by jury, and was permitted to return to Perth.
The case is a sad one. His wife is incurable with cancer, and while her sister is doing what she can for her, circumstances are depriving the invalid of the nourishment she should have. The husband is said to be a good worker, and does not look like a man who would be wantonly cruel, but the fact remains that be has neglected to support his wife, and she is suffering from that neglect. What the outcome of the trial may be cannot be predicted, but in the meantime it is a case where help might very well be given. Private donations can be made at the Gazette’s office that we might help this woman.
1888 Almonte: Isaac Needham of Pakenham, who appeared before Judge E.W. Smith, Esq., J.P.P. on a charge of threatening bodily injury to Hugh Gordon, and was bound over to keep the peace for one year and $200 and two sureties of $100 each. Gazette
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