43 
officially recorded,* that notwithstanding the immense exer- 
tions by the local government, and by individuals, to grapple 
with that famine by the importation of food, distribution of 
money, and other means, the actual loss of human life during the 
two years it continued, including the excess of mortality over 
ordinary years and diminished birth-rate, did not fall much 
short of three millions of lives. Besides this, the physique 
of survivors was lowered to so great an extent that they 
were less capable than before that event to prosecute their 
regular avocations. 
19. Certain forms of organic 'matter, under the names of 
Bacteria, Vibriones, Zooglea, and so on, have of late obtained 
a large amount of scientific attention. It is an open question 
still, whether the nature of these forms is vegetable or animal, 
or intermediate between them. Their development, however, 
appears to be enhanced by atmospheric conditions which 
favour decomposition of tissues. And this circumstance fur- 
nishes the only point in regard to which reference to them is 
here appropriate. The result of recent discussions as to the 
part played by these organisms in the direct causation of 
disease is that, like several other favourite theories, so, in 
regard to this one, strict investigation is unfavourable to its 
stability. 
20. With regard to animal life, much of what has been said 
in reference to the relation existing between climate and plant 
life applies. Thus, families, orders, genera, have their geo- 
graphical limits; relatively small numbers are restricted to 
particular territories and localities ; characters and habits 
have a distinct relation to climatic and seasonal conditions. 
But, unlike plants, many animals capable of and performing 
migrations thus avoid alternations and changes, as regards 
atmospheric conditions, to which others, like plants, are sub- 
jected. Of the particular sense by which these are guided, 
alike as to the period and direction of their migrations, we 
are not able to speak, further than that in our own persons 
there occurs nothing analogous to it, unless, indeed, it be the 
capacity, not very common, of knowing directions.. As with 
plants, so changes occur in the character and appearance of 
man and animals in accordance with localities and circum- 
stances in which they are placed. Finally, health, and the 
loss of it, have relation to circumstances connected with 
climate and season, besides others more personal to indivi- 
duals. As with plants also, the rates of increase and diminu- 
tion differ according to local circumstances. 
Beport by Sanitary Commissioner, 1878, p. 21. 
