( n ) 
The south-western counties were the healthiest in 18G8, for in 
these the rate of mortality was only 18 per 1000. In the south- 
eastern counties it was 19; in the eastern and south-midland 
counties and in IMonmouthshire and Wales it was 20 ; in the west- 
midland and north-midland counties, 21 ; in London and the 
northern counties, 24 ; in Yorkshire, 25 ; and in the north-western 
counties (viz. Cheshire and Lancashire), 26. 
In the third quarter of the year the deaths were in excess ; the 
high temperature gave activity in air and water to the lower forms 
of life, and consequently to the zymotic elements of diarrhcca, sum- 
mer cholera, and scarlatina. In the fourth quarter, many places 
in the south of England suffered severely from scarlet fever ; this 
disease was epidemical, and in the Lancashire and Yorkshire dis- 
tricts it proved a fatal scourge. 
BiiiTHS and Deaths in 1868 in England. 
First Quarter: Jan., Feb., March 
Second Quarter : April, May, June 
Third Quarter; July, Aug., Sept. 
Fourth Quarter : Oct., Nov., Dec. 
Births 
in 1S6S. 
Annual Birth- 
rate to lOOn 
persons living 
(186S). 
Average Birth- 
rate to 1000 
persons living 
(lS5S-Gt). 
198,894 
202, t92 
192, S6 
192,203 
36- 94 
37- 64 
35-23 
35-09 
36-74 
36-37 
33-7r"' 
33-47 
786,156 
36-31 
35-08 
First Quarter : Jan., Feb., March 
Second Quarter: April, May, June 
Third Quarter : July, Aug., Sept. 
Fourth Quarter: Oct., Nov., Dec. 
Deatbs 
in 186S. 
Anntial Death- 
rate to 1000 
persons living 
(1S68). 
Average Death- 
rate to 1000 
persons living 
(1858-67). 
120,095 
109,984 
130,502 
120,096 
22- 34 
20- 40 
23- 89 
21- 93 
25-76 
22-20 
20-24 
22- II 
480,677 1 22*20 
22-57 
A glance at the results of registration for the year 1868 shows 
that the first two quarters]^were favourable to life ; but the gains of 
winter and spring were sacrificed by the fatality of the third quar- 
ter of the year. The heat in summer was for several days tropical, 
and of water which is required by the population of the country for 
drink and for domestic purposes every day, the quantity was greatly 
insufficient. As rain only falls at intervals, it is evident that the con- 
stant supply can only be secured by natural or by artificial storage of 
the water in rivers, lakes, ponds, under or abovej^ground. -At present, 
