│ │ │ │ │ │ 236 │ └───────┴─────────┴───────────────┴──────┴─────────┴──────────────────┘ A complete analysis of the whole of the causes contributory to the premature mortality displayed in this group of cases would be a work of much labour, and would in nowise affect the soundness of the conclusions derivable from other sources, that a large amount, and probably the great mass of it, is preventible. It would, for instance, be difficult to decide the precise term of years of life cut short by the effects of the lodging-houses, in producing or aggravating other tendencies to consumption; but the information possessed by persons who have made themselves acquainted with the effects of impure air enables them to pronounce with certainty that the habitual exposure of a body of men to such noxious influences must be attended by a diminution of several years of the definite standard of life. Of the 31 deaths of miners below 60 years of age, from diseases of the respiratory organs, enumerated in the above return, a part of the causes may be attributable to their occupation, a part to the external circumstances of residence and connected habits. Now we have examples of the separate advantages attendant on the removal of both causes of disease I adduce the following information, obtained through Sir John Walsham, with relation to the effects of an improvement in the external circumstances of the workmen as to residences. _Captain Harland_, the chairman of the Reeth union, York (North Riding), in a communication to Sir John Walsham, states, that he has been anxious to ascertain as correctly as possible, first, the average duration of life among the mining population of the respective parishes in that district, and how far it appeared to be affected by their general habits as well as by the state of their domiciles; and he gives the following results:— “By a careful examination of the parish registers, I find that in the last seven years there have died in— The parish of Marrick 15 miners; average age, 47⅗ years. The parish of Arkendale 70 miners; average age, 45‑19/35 years. The chapelry of Muker, in the 39 miners; average age, 45‑29/39 years. parish of Grinton The remainder of the parish of 40 miners; average age, 54‑39/40 years. Grinton, _viz._ Grinton Reeth and Meblecks Total, 164; general average, 48‑13/164 years. “The prevailing diseases throughout the whole district are bronchial affections and rheumatism, which may generally be attributed to exposure to cold and rain after leaving the close, warm atmosphere of the mine.