290 NEGLECT OF ORGANIC LAWS 



ought to have great weight. Among other evidence, 

 he quotes the register of a regiment employed in 

 the Burmese territory in 1824-5, from which "it 

 appears that, in 1824, the ratio of mortality among 

 the young men who went out with the corps was 

 38 per cent., or 1 in every 2 ; while, among the 

 volunteers who were considerably older, the mor- 

 tality was 17 per cent., or only 1 in 6. In 1825, it 

 >vas 30.5 per cent., or 1 in 3s, among the younger 

 lass, and only 6 percent., or 1 in 16, among the older." 



-(P. 10.)* 



Some other instances might be quoted in proof 

 of the greatest mortality being always among the 

 youngest men; and I might refer to a regiment 

 mentioned by Dr. Davies, in which, when it was 

 sent out to Bombay in 1808, there was not a single 

 private above 22 years of age, and in which, out of 

 550 men, nearly 300 required medical assistance 

 within six weeks after he joined it ; but it is un- 

 necessary, as, although individual officers still prefer 

 young men, government is at last awakened to their 

 unfitness. A vague opinion that growing lads do 

 not bear fatigue is indeed prevalent enough; but I 

 venture to say, that if those by whom the age of 

 enlistment was first determined had been thoroughly 

 acquainted with the laws of physiology, and had 

 possessed a clear perception of the conditions of 



* In availing myself of Mr. Marshall's labours, I may be allowed 

 to express my opinion of the benefit he is conferring by his sta- 

 tistical researches, not only on the service with which he has 

 been so long and honourably connected, but also on the public 

 at large- There are many practical questions deeply concern- 

 ing public health, which can only be fully elucidated by such 

 masses of facts being grouped together as shall destroy all minor 

 inequalities, and place the operation of principles prominently 

 in view. But to effect this object with due regard to accuracy 

 requires an acquaintance with details, an acuteness of observa- 

 tion, and a power of successful generalization, which are rarely 

 found in combination with adequate zeal and industry. It would 

 be very useful if similar researches were instituted in regard to 

 the occurrences in our public hospitals. 



