144 A NATURALIST IN THE TRANSVAAL. 



and the neglect of wearing warmer clothing after sunset, 

 for weak lungs are liable to suffer from the sudden 

 change of temperature that then ensues. But, on the 

 other hand, the possessors of weak chests and mode- 

 rately diseased lungs, to whom a European winter is a 

 positive danger, may with a modicum of care live in 

 physical ease and comfort breathing the glorious air of 

 this high Transvaalian tableland. It was to the want 

 of proper sanitary arrangements that the epidemic of 

 1889-1890 was doubtless due. This took the form of 

 typhoid fever, with a frequent complication of pneu- 

 monia which attacked both lungs at the same time. 

 Two judges, two doctors, and a large number of Euro- 

 peans were quickly carried off, and the mortality was 

 greater at Johannesburg than in Pretoria. At present 

 the vital statistics are anything but satisfactory ; the 

 following figures, taken from a compilation made by 

 Dr. Stroud, and published in the ' Press ' newspaper, 

 refer to the precincts of Pretoria alone : 



1882 to 1887 1888. 1889. 1890. 



inclusive. 



Total deaths . . 162 123 169 171 



Of the 171 deaths which occurred during 1890, 71 

 were men, 19 were women, and 81 were under 20 years 

 of age. 



Of the men 23 died between the ages of 20 and 30 



23 30 40 



Of the women 6 ,, ,, 20 30 



7 30 40 



Of the 81 who died under 20 years of age, 7 died 

 between the ages of 2 and 20. The remaining 74 died 

 before the age of 2 years. 



What the average of life amongst the Boer farmers 

 may be I have no means of ascertaining, but I never 

 saw many very aged individuals. 



In Pretoria, as in Johannesburg, one met the queerest 

 of social characters, and they comprised the army of 

 company promoters, prospectors, financial agents, mining 



