DEATH-TOLL OF ENGLAND AND WALES. 



137 



we may, with much probability, assign the great increase 

 in diseases of these organs, pointed out by Mr. Baxen- 

 dell, mainly to this cause, and not to defective sanitary 

 administration. 



It is of course impossible to say how much of the mor- 

 tality of the country is due to this cause ; but I will men- 

 tion one instance in which it would appear that some ap- 

 proximation may be made. 



My friend Dr. W. Roberts informs me that about 

 thirty years ago a very powerful temperance movement 

 affected large districts of Wales to such an extent that in 

 Anglesey most of the public houses were closed and a large 

 proportion of the people became total abstainers from 

 alcohol. This movement had, to a great extent, died out 

 by the year 1850. 



Now, the density of the population in this county (of 

 Anglesey) has remained almost stationary; but its mortality 

 has increased, as shown by the following Table : — 



Density and Mortality in the Island of Anglesey in Three 

 Decennia. 



Since the population of these districts has certainly im- 

 proved in material comfort in the last twenty years, it is 

 probable that a large part of the increased mortality may 

 be fairly ascribed to the increased use of alcohol. A simi- 

 lar statement holds good with regard to other parts of 

 Wales. 



