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many of the houses in the crowded districts of large towns. So far as is at 

 present known, and contrary to what was formerly supposed, carbonic 

 acid gas is a comparatively harmless substance, in the small quantities in 

 which it generally occurs in the atmosphere. In connection with disease 

 it was shown, by means of tables compiled from the Registrar-General's 

 report for 1888, that the death-rate from consumption and diseases of the 

 respiratory organs was much larger in crowded town districts than in the 

 country. For example, roughly speaking, in Hunslet the death-rate per 

 1,000 in 1888 was about 25, of which Tl were due to consumption, &c 

 Holbeck 21 with 6-0, Halifax 20 with 6-6, Sheffield 24 with 7-0, Leeds 23 

 with 6-7, Scarborough 17 with 4-3, Sedbergh 13 with 3-8, Whal-fedale 15 

 with 3 •7, &c., the larger number in each case being the death-rate per 

 1,000 from all causes, the smaller one the death-rate per 1,000 

 from consumption and diseases of the respiratory organs. To get' rid 

 of the impurities constantly poured forth into the atmosphere, constant 

 mixing of the foul with the fresh air is necessary, and this can only be 

 obtained in houses by allowing a constant stream of fresh air to circulate 

 through them. As regards the action of the oxygen of the air, either in 

 the ordinary state, or in the condensed state, known as ozone upon the 

 organic matter of respiration, very little is known. It has been said that 

 the organic matter is only got rid of when it comes into contact with 

 ozone ; but we know very little as to the existence of this latter in the 

 atmosphere, and still less as to the part it plays in getting rid of the 

 organic matter. Much has been done by way of sanitation, improve- 

 ment of water-supply, &c., to improve the condition of the people in 

 crowded districts ; but a great deal yet remains to be done in the way of 

 ventilation, especially in houses, in the living and sleeping rooms. This 

 applies to a large extent to the country as well as the town. The 

 importance of ventilation in the houses both of rich and poor in town and 

 country cannot, in fact, be too emphatically insisted upon. It may be 

 that a good supply of fresh aii- for everyone will tend largely to decrease 

 the social degradation and immorality of our crowded centres by 

 improving the general health. At any rate, as Dr. Noble once said, "A 

 tainted atmosphere is one among the many causes that depress vitality, 

 and that lower the tone alike of the muscular, nervous, and assimilative 

 energies." The subject of "foul air" is so important a one that it 

 deserves much more attention than is given to it at the present day. 



A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. W. A. Carlton, the gentleman 

 who very kindly brought over the splendid donation of birds' skins and 

 eggs to the club from Mr. G. A. Keartland, of Melbourne. 



