284 Mr W. Fraser mi tlw History and Constitution of 



The returns did not state the different degrees or intensity of 

 sickness with such accuracy as could be relied on, but it is stated 

 (Report^ p. 108) that " the following general proportion between 

 the different kinds is drawn from the returns, and may be taken 

 as an approximation to the true one, till future observations af- 

 ford a better standard. 



" Of 10 weeks of sickness among persons of all ages under 70, 



2 may be assumed as bedfast sickness, 

 5 walking ditto, 



3 permanent ditto, 



In all 10. 



" Or if the allowances are regulated by the duration of sickness, then of 10 

 weeks of sickness it may be assumed that 



2^ weeks will be sickness of the first quarter, 

 3 second and third ditto, 

 A\ unlimited duration, 



In all 10." 



Such were the results obtained by the inquiry of the High- 

 land Society of Scotland into the rate of sickness among the 

 members of Friendly Societies ; — an inquiry which reflects the 

 highest honour on the philanthropic individuals by whom it was 

 originated and conducted to a close, and which will, from the 

 importance of the results, prove one of the most beneficial un- 

 dertakings of that highly patriotic and useful institution. 



As already mentioned, the subject was next brought before 

 Parliament in 1825, by Thomas Peregrine Courtenay, Esq., 

 and a Select Committee was appointed by the House of Com- 

 mons to take whatever steps might seem necessary. This 

 Committee did not pursue the course adopted by the Highland 

 Society, — that of requiring returns of the sickness experienced 

 among Friendly Societies in England, but called before them 

 such professional gentlemen and others as were supposed to be 

 best acquainted with their affairs. Neither did they confine 

 their investigation to sickness only, but went into a very wide 

 field of inquiry as to the rate of mortality, the average number of 

 births resulting from each marriage, and various other matters 

 connected with Health and Life Assurance. In attempting, 

 however, to give a brief view of their proceedings, we shall, for 



