100 years ago

THERE had been an exciting aeroplane chase in the neighbourhood of Epernay.

A German aeroplane appeared over the town during the morning. This was by no means an unusual occurrence, and no particular notice was taken of it. Suddenly, however, the aeroplane wheeled sharply and made off in the direction of Rheims.

Three French machines were seen to be in pursuit. The chase did not last long. When the German was over the eastern shoulder of the Montagne de Rheims, one of the French aeroplanes caught it up and got above it. A sergeant, who was a passenger on board, opened fire with his revolver, and after a few shots the German machine went crashing down into the woods near Verzy.

The machine, on reaching the ground, caught fire, and, together with the bodies of the officer and mechanic who manned it, was completely burnt.

 

50 years ago

WHAT were the common diseases coming before the local doctor every year? Dr John Fry, a general practitioner from Kent, had given some figures.

Addressing the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene he said: “In an average practice of 2,500 people, a doctor may see some 500 persons with upper respiratory infections, 250 with emotional disorders, 200 with common digestive disorders, 200 with skin ailments, 50 children with acute otitis media, 50 acute backs, 50 with urinary infections, 50 with pneumonia or acute bronchitis, 25 with asthma, 15 with coronary heart disease, 25 with hypertension, 15 with rheumatoid arthritis, ten with epilepsy and eight with diabetes.

On the other hand, he will see only one new case of cancer of the lung each year, two new cases of cancer of the stomach every three years, two new cases of breast cancer every three years, one new case of either cancer of the rectum or prostate every two years, and only one new case of cancer of the cervix every five years.”

 

25 years ago

A DILAPIDATED cemetery gatehouse in York was in line for renovation.

The Cemetery Road graveyard had been uncared for after the company which ran it went into liquidation until the Friends of York Cemetery Trust had been set up to look after the burial ground. Work on restoration of the chapel was nearing completion, and the trust had now turned its attention to a £15,000 facelift for the gatehouse.

Offices for its own use and for rent would be created to help pay for the conversion. The work would also provide two lavatories for visitors to the cemetery, which was still being used for burials. Planning permission was needed before the work could go ahead. The gatehouse was a listed building.