GO J. F. Miller, Esq., on the 



mortality of 2-8 per cent., or one death in every 35 persons, from 

 cholera. It is, however, believed that the population of Workington 

 has decreased since the last census was taken ; and at the time the 

 epidemic was raging, most of the respectable inhabitants had left the 

 place ; so that the ratio of mortality amongst the then residents 

 must have been considerably greater than is here stated. A singular 

 fact connected with the disease is its sudden cessation for several 

 days, at the expiration of which it returns with increased virulence. 

 In the week between the 25th and 31st of August, the deaths were 

 65; from the 31st August to the 8th September there were none ; 

 on the 8th, 12; 9th and 10th, none; on the 11th, 13; and on the 

 12th only one death; 13th, 11 ; from the 14th to the 19th in- 

 clusive, the deaths averaged 2*5 daily, but on the 20th they rose to 

 13 ; and between the 21st and the end of September there were only 

 eight deaths, which occurred on the 21st, 22d, 25th, and 27th. 



Between the 1st and 20th of October the deaths were 32, and 

 during that period there were frequently none for three or four con- 

 secutive days. There was only one death after the 20th October. 

 It occurred on the 6th of November, when the pestilence ceased. I 

 am informed by a resident medical gentleman, that at thensommence- 

 ment of the disease the cases were rapidly fatal, many of them after 

 eight or ten hours' illness, and it was then almost entirely confined to 

 the lower classes. 



The proximate cause of the exceedingly fatal character of the dis- 

 ease at this seaport is probably to be found in the effluvia engender- 

 ed by the extensive tract of marshy land, called the " Cloffocks,'' ad- 

 joining the river Derwent, and in the immediate vicinity of the town. 

 What is most remarkable, the first case of cholera at Workington 

 occurred on the same day of the same month, in the same house, and 

 even in the same room in the said house, where the epidemic first 

 broke out in the summer of 1832. There is no peculiarity in the 

 situation of the house, nor can any reason be assigned for this most 

 singular coincidence. I am informed that very 'iQ\i insects were seen 

 about the river, and, during the height of the disease, the rooks 

 entirely forsook their old-established quarters in the grounds ad- 

 joining the Hall.* 



October. — Cold, with an average fall of rain (5|- inches.) The 

 mean temperature is 2°'5 below the average. The grain crops were 



* The cause of this fearful epidemic is still a mystery. The meteorological 

 conditions of the atmosphere, although slightly abnormal, are wholly inade- 

 quate to account for its induction. It is most probably induced by some gaseous 

 poison diffused through the atmosphere, but of a nature so subtle that the most 

 delicate analysis fails to detect its presence. According to the experiments of 

 Dr Dundas Thompson of Glasgow, no solid matter existed in the air, but am- 

 monia was obtained from it in the proportion of 0'319 grain of caustic am- 

 monia, or 0"731 grain of carbonate of ammonia, to 1000 pounds of air. 



