EFFECTS OF SUSPENSION OR DEFICIENCY OF RESPIRATION. 543 



tality for three years previously to the invasion of cholera had been such, that 

 the average age at death was only 11 yrs. 7 mos. ; and in the first 10 months of 

 1849, out of a population of about 1000, there were 50 deaths, of which 21 

 were from cholera and diarrhoea, and 29 from typhus fever and other diseases. 

 It is illustrative of the common points between cholera and other zymotic dis- 

 eases, that the former appeared there not only in the same streets and in the 

 same houses, but even in the same rooms, which had been again and again 

 visited by typhus ; and there were several tenants of such rooms who recovered 

 from fever in the spring, to fall victims to cholera in the summer. Subse- 

 quently to this epidemic, the average age at death has been further reduced, by 

 an increase of infantile mortality, to as low as 10 years. By way of contrast 

 it may be stated that in one of the " Model Lodging-Houses," containing about 

 550 inmates, among whom was an unusually large proportion of children, the 

 rate of mortality during the three years ending May, 1851 (including the whole 

 period of the cholera-epidemic), was scarcely more than 20 in 1000; the propor- 

 tion of deaths under ten years of age was only half that of the metropolis in 

 general ; there was not a single attack of cholera, and there were only a few cases 

 of choleraic diarrhoea, although the disease was raging in the immediate vicinity ; 

 and from the time that the sewerage had beenput[into complete order, typhus fever 

 had entirely disappeared, a few cases having occurred soon after the opening of 

 the buildings, which were distinctly traceable to a defect in the drainage. 3 The 

 following case may be added, in proof of the potency of an atmosphere charged 

 with putrescent emanations, in rendering the system liable to the attacks of 

 Zymotic diseases of various kinds. A manufactory of artificial manure formerly 

 existed immediately opposite Christchurch workhouse, Spitalfields 1 which build- 

 ing was occupied by about 400 children, with a few adult paupers. Whenever 

 the works were actively carried on, particularly when the wind blew in the 

 direction of the house, there were produced numerous cases of fever, of an in- 

 tractable and typhoid form ; a typhoid tendency was also observed in measles, 

 smallpox, and other infantile diseases, and for some time there prevailed a most 

 unmanageable and fatal form of aphtha of the mouth, ending in gangrene. 

 From this last cause alone, 12 deaths took place among the infants in one quar- 

 ter. In the month of December, 1848, when cholera had already occurred in 

 the neighborhood, 60 of the children in the workhouse were suddenly seized 

 with violent diarrhoea in the early morning. The proprietor was compelled to 

 close his establishment, and the children returned to their ordinary health. 

 Five months afterwards, the works were recommenced ; in a day or two subse- 

 quently, the wind blowing from the manufactory, a most powerful stench per- 

 vaded the building. In the night following, 45 of the boys, whose dormitories 

 directly faced the manufactory, were again suddenly seized with severe diarrhoea ; 

 whilst the girls, whose dormitories were in a more distant part, and faced in 

 another direction, escaped. The manufactory having been again suppressed, 

 there was no subsequent return of diarrhoea. 2 



582. It may not be amiss to add a few examples drawn from the experience 

 which our Indian possessions have afforded, of the influence of an insufficient 

 supply of pure air upon the ordinary mortality in our army and among the 

 people under our control. There are various military stations which have lain 

 under a most ill-deserved repute for unhealthiness, in consequence of the very 

 imperfect barrack-accommodation afforded to the troops quartered in them. 

 Thus at Secunderabad, in the Madras command, the average annual mortality 

 for the fifteen years previous to 1846 7 was 75 per 1000; this being nearly 



' "Report on Cholera," App. B, pp. 48 and 77 ; and Mr. Grainger's subsequent " Re- 

 port on the present state of certain parts of the Metropolis, and on the Model Lodgino- 

 Houses of London," pp. 29, 36. 



2 "Report on Cholera," p. 42. 



