5864 Statistic Views of the Mortality 



average of later years. On the continent of Europe there has, 

 therefore, been a diminution of one-ninth in the mortaHty of the 

 aggregate of the people, if we can rely on the German writer on 

 statistics. We are, however, inclined to think, that, during his 

 time, the mortality generally was less than one-thirtieth of the 

 population, which supposes that it is more than one-third less at 

 present in proportion to the augmentation of its population. 



This gradual diminution of mortality arises from the same 

 causes in the principal towns of Europe. The number of deaths 

 compared with that of the inhabitants at distant epochs, gives 

 the following proportions : — 



The annual mortality has also diminished in Paris, more than ^ in 80 years ; 

 in T..ondon, more than ^ in 1 78 years ; in Berlin, \, or nearly i, in 72 years ; 

 in Geneva, | in 261 years ; in Vienna, \ in 80 years ; in Rome, \ in 63 years ; 

 in Amsterdam, i in 64 years ; in Cambridge, f in 10 years ; in Norfolk, i in 

 10 years; in Manchester, § in 64 years; in Birmingham, nearly f in 10 years; 

 in Liverpool, \ in 38 years ; in Portsmouth, more than ^ in 11 years ; in Pe- 

 tersburgh, nearly § in 40 years ; in Stockholm, more than \ in 67 years. 



The causes of the greatest mortality in European countries 

 and cities are chiefly — 



The marshy humidity of the air, especially in hot countries ; the effects of 

 privations on the lower classes of society ; the scarcity of the means of sub- 

 sistence, or, at least, their rise in price as compared with the wages of labour ; 

 pestilential diseases ; unfavourable seasons, especially abrupt changes in the 

 temperature ; the closeness, dirtiness, and unhealthiness of private houses, 

 prisons, infirmaries, and hospitals ; the excessive use of spirituous liquors, 

 and indulgence in drunkenness ; unwholesome or unremitting labour, espe- 

 cially in childhood and youth ; lastly, war, but less in consequence of battles 

 than forced marches, and frequently the mal-administration of armies. 



