168 Chronicles of Science. | Jan. 
the Advancement of Science, and the Social Science Association, 
which now assemble every autumn in one or other of our large towns, 
various questions affecting public health were at their last meetings 
brought before their appropriate sections. To some of the most im- 
portant of these we will now refer. As was not unnatural, the meet- 
ing of the British Association last autumn in Newcastle, the centre of 
one of our most important coal-producing districts, called forth some 
interesting papers by Drs. Wilson, White, and B. W. Richardson, on the 
habits and diseases of the miners, and on means which might be em- 
ployed for diminishing the evil effects of breathing noxious vapours 
and gases. An excellent paper by Dr. G. Robinson, on organic 
effluvia, was also communicated, in which the author showed that those 
abnormal constituents of the atmosphere which are recognized under 
that term, may be resolved into four principal groups, viz.:—I1st. Gases 
and vapours formed during the decomposition of organic matter. 
Qnd. Odoriferous particles suc generis. 3rd. Volatile organic matters 
not endowed with vitality. 4th. Living germs. On those last-named 
constituents of the atmosphere many valuable observations were made 
by Mr. James Samuelson, whose suggestion that the atmosphere of 
hospitals should be tested microscopically for living germs, appears 
to us to be of much importance. 
The great Sepoy mutiny, &c., by necessitating a much larger number 
of European troops to be retained in India for defensive purposes 
than was formerly required, has compelled the attention of the autho- 
rities to the need of greater care in promoting and preserving the 
health of the soldiers stationed there, both in camp and barracks. 
Papers on this subject were read before the British Association by 
Drs. Bird, Stewart, Clark, and Camps, and at the Social Science As- 
sociation by Miss Nightingale and the Rev. Dawson Burns. From 
the report of the Royal Commission on the sanatory state of the army 
in India, it would appear that the death rate amongst the British 
troops serving in India amounts to no less than 69 per 1,000 per 
annum. Now taking the strength of the British army in India at 
73,000, it follows that such an army would lose somewhat over 5,000 
men annually, equal to an entire brigade. And asin unhealthy sea- 
sons the death rate rises to double the above amount, we may well ask 
with Miss Nightingale, ‘‘ Where are the 10,000 recruits to be found 
to fill up the gap of a single unhealthy year?” and say with her, 
‘‘that on the better preservation of the health of our troops—hinges 
the very important social question, viz.—How the British race is to 
hold possession of India, and to bestow upon its vast population the 
benefit of her own civilization ?” This great mortality is due to two 
distinct sets of causes, for one of which the authorities are respon- 
sible ; the other is to be ascribed to the personal habits of the men 
themselves. The building of barracks in bad situations, the crowding 
together of a large number of men, the insufficient supply of fresh 
water, the imperfect ventilation, and the deficient drainage are all 
causes of disease which are under the control of the Government, and 
for which it ought to be made responsible. 
The excessive use of animal food and ardent spirits are those vices 
