AND THE RATE OF MORTALITY. 313 



portance of applying modern methods of scientific research 

 to questions relating to health and disease, and were con- 

 tent to aim at no higher object than that of discharging 

 the duties which properly belong to nuisance-inspectors 

 and scavengers. Until these gentlemen form a much 

 higher estimate than they have hitherto done of the 

 dignity and importance of their profession, and of the dif- 

 ficulties they have to overcome, we cannot reasonably hope 

 to see any real and permanent improvement in the general 

 state of the public health^. 



The general results of the above investigation may be 

 briefly recapitulated as follows : — 



1. That the influence of meteorological causes in pro- 

 ducing fluctuations in the rate of mortality is much greater 

 than that of any other recognized influence. 



2. That the class of diseases which is most afiected by 

 meteorological changes is Class I., Zymotic diseases. 



3. That the relative increase in the number of fatal 

 cases of disease at difi'erent ages, in unfavourable seasons, 

 is greatest between the ages of 25 and 75 years, or amongst 

 those classes of the community who are most exposed to 

 vicissitudes of weather. 



4. That the sanitary measures which have been carried 



* In justice to the corporation of Salford, I must state that at the suggestion 

 of the Mayor, Thomas Davies, Esq., a meteorological station was established 

 within the borough, at the front of the Town Hall, at the beginning of the 

 year 1868, and that observations have since been regularly made under the 

 superintendence of Thomas Mackereth, Esq., F.R.A.S., for systematic com- 

 parison with the weekly returns relating to the sanitary condition of the 

 borough. Mr. Mackereth informs me that these comparisons have already 

 yielded decisive evidence of a close connexion between meteorological changes 

 and the development of certain diseases which are unfortunately too prevalent 

 in Salford — thus confirming the results arrived at by Dr. Ransome and Mr. 

 Vernon, and proving the soundness of the view taken by the Mayor when he 

 urged the desirability of establishing a meteorological station in or near the 

 centre of the borough. I believe this is the only instance of the establishment, 

 by a public body, of a meteorological station in the centre of a large town. 



