192 REPORT— 1842. 



that our meteorological observations are not yet sufficiently extensive to en- 

 able us to form, a correct judgment of the specific effects of atmospheric 

 phsenomena, when combined with the local circumstances of large towns, 

 nor to point out how these effects are to be most effectually obviated. " It 

 is not only necessary to know the temperature and weight of the air at par- 

 ticular times but also the direction and force of the ivind, with the quantity 

 of moisture it contains ; also its electrical state, together with the quantity of 

 rain that falls." 



From the imperfect system folloAved in recording the deaths in many of the 

 registers, we are obliged to assume that those deaths which occur beyond the 

 limits of any of these towns, and in which burial takes place within their 

 limits, are balanced by those cases in which death takes place in the towns 

 and the burials elsewhere. In Perth, where there is a steady and somewhat 

 decreasing population, there may perhaps be rather an excess of those who 

 die at a distance buried within the limits of the city. With regard to Aber- 

 deen, Bailie Forbes and others, whom we have consulted on the subject, in- 

 form us that a considerable number of iniiabitants who die in that city are 

 buried at a distance, often where the family of the party may have origi- 

 nally been seated ; and although the ages at which death takes place in 

 that town, and other circumstances, clearly prove that Aberdeen is favour- 

 ably situated as to its sanitary condition, we are inclined to believe that the 

 average annual mortality of that town is very considerably understated at 

 1 in 49'737, as in the preceding tables. With regard to the other towns, it 

 would be difficult to form an estimate as to whether the amount of those who 

 die beyond and are buried within their limits, or those who die within and 

 are buried beyond the limits, is the greatest. As the proportion of such 

 burials, however, may be considered uniform throughout the year, a fair 

 judgment may be formed as to the relative effect of the seasons in connexion 

 with other causes on the mortality of the different towns. 



In Aberdeen, it will be observed, there is an excess in the proportion of 

 deaths over those of Edinburgh during the months of January, February, 

 March, April and May. It will be perceived that in February the excess is 

 the greatest, and amounts to 1*90 per cent, of the average annual deaths. 

 During the seven last months of the year the proportion of deaths is greater 

 in Edinburgh than in Aberdeen ; the greatest difference being in September, 

 in which month the excess in Edinburgh amounts to I'll per cent, of the 

 average annual deaths. For the relative mortality in these towns for the 

 different months, see Table LXIII. 



From Table LXIV. it will be found that there is an excess of deaths in 

 Perth over those in Edinburgh during the months of January, February, 

 March, April, May and August; the greatest excess is in January, amounting 

 to 3"36 per cent, of the whole deaths* ; and in June, July, September, October, 

 November and December, there is an excess of deaths in Edinburgh as com- 

 pared with Perth ; the greatest excess is in June, amounting to P98 per 

 cent, of the annual average of deaths.. 



In Dundee there is an excess of deaths in the months of January, February, 

 March, and May as compared with Edinburgh ; the greatest excess is in 

 January, and amounts to 4'31 per cent, of the annual average of deaths. 

 During all the other months the excess of deaths is in Edinburgh, amounting 

 in September to 1*63, and in November to 1*69 per cent. See Table LXV. 



It is much to be regretted that circumstances have prevented the construc- 

 tion of monthly tables of mortality for five years instead of three for Edin- 

 burgh. Had this been the case, the proportionate mortality would not have 



* The great mortality which was caused by fever and influenza in January 1837, is the 

 reason of this proportion being so liigh. 



