318 



DR R. E. SCORESBY- JACKSON 



Months in which both the Mean Temperature and 



Humidity are below the Mean of the Six 



corresponding Months. 



Mortality. 

 January 1857, . • . . • 253-2 



February 1858, 237-7 



1860, 330-6 



March 1858, 2578 



April 1859, 222-7 



Mean, 



260-4 



Months in which the Mean Temperature is below 



but the Humidity above the Mean of the 



Six corresponding Months. 



Mortality. 



1860, 280-8 



1861, 304-1 



1862, 256-7 



1857, 243-6 



1860, 290-2 



January 



,, 

 March 

 April 



Mean, 



275-1 



Here, then, we have conflicting results. Following the rain-fall as our guide 

 to the hygrometric condition of the atmosphere, we conclude that a dry atmo- 

 sphere promotes mortality ; if we refer the humidity present in the atmosphere 

 to the standard calculated by Mr Glaisher, we are forced to an opposite opinion. 

 Let these results be estimated only at tlieir true value ; the data are too few to 

 render them of very great importance, but they may serve for comparison with 

 other investigations. It must be remembered, however, that it is the temperature 

 that binds me down to so few data. I shall have occasion hereafter to inquire 

 into the value of the relative quantity of moisture in the atmosphere separately. 



Before passing from the consideration of the influence of temperature upon 

 mortality from all causes, there is one other important feature which ought to be 

 mentioned, — namely, the aggravating influence of continued cold. The growing 

 mortality consequent upon a continued low temperature is seen in the following 

 table, where it is contrasted with the means of the mean temperature and 

 mortality of the six corresponding months : — 



Year 1860, 



Average of the Six corresponding 

 Months, 



November. 



39°- 1 

 230°-0 



237°-l 

 39°- 5 



December. 



34°-l 



257°-7 



247°- 9 



38°-8 



January. 



35°-5 



280°-8 



265°-3 

 37°-4 



February. 



34°-0 

 330°-6 



257°-4 

 38°-2 



March. 



38°-4 



283°-2 



249°-8 

 39°-8 



Mean Temp. 

 Mortality. 



Mortality. 

 Mean Temp 



In like manner the evil effects of a continued high temperature may be seen in 

 the following table, in which the mean temperature and mortality of the warmer 

 months of 1857 are contrasted with those of the averages of the six corresponding 

 months of the years 1857-62 inclusive: — 



Year 1857, 



Average of the Six corresponding f 

 Months, \ 



June. 



57°-4 



213°-3 



208°-6 

 55°-9 



July. 



58°-0 



210°-5 



204°-5 

 66°-8 



August. 



60°-0 



224°-l 



189°-4 

 57°-3 



September. 

 56°-l 

 210°-8 



187°-7 

 52°- 5 



October. 



49°-6 



208°-0 



198°-2 



47°-2 



Mean Temp 

 Mortality. 



Mortality. 

 Mean Temp. 



The Influence of Vicissitudes of Atmospheric Pressure. 



When we notice that the average monthly range of the barometer for the six 

 years under examination is not more than 1 '262 inches, it behoves us to remember 

 how much is implied in the oscillation of the barometer even to the extent only 



