t 131  ] 
IX.  Obfervations  on  the  Population  and  Difeafes  of  Chef- 
ter, in  the  Tear  1774.  By  J.  Haygarth,  M.  D. 
Read  Jan.  22,  ^"pHE  fadts  afcertained  in  the  following 
! 777*  j| 
JL  tables  prove  Chelter  to  be  healthy  in 
fuch  an  uncommon  degree,  as  will  aftonifh  thofe  who  are 
beft  acquainted  with  the  general  Hate  of  mortality  in 
large  towns.  In  order  to  deduce  fatisfadlory  and  ufeful 
conciufions  from  thefe  fails,  it  feems  neceffary  to  de- 
fcribe  a few  peculiarities  in  the  fituation  of  this  city, 
which  probably  contribute  to  produce  a falutary  effedt.' 
The  intelligent  reader  will  remark,  in  the  following 
account,  that  the  ftrudture  of  Chefter  prevents,  in  an 
uncommon  degree,  two  principal  fources  of  difeafe,  ftag* 
nant  moifture  and  putrefadlion. 
Chefter  is  placed  on  a red,  fandy,  mouldering  rock 
(faxum  arenarium  friabile  rubrum ) which  forms  a riling 
promontory,  whofe  fummit  is  elevated  exadlly  one  hun- 
dred feet  above  high  water  mark,  and  forty  feet  above 
the  adjacent  country;  from  this  point  the  llreets  defcend 
with  a gentle  declivity  every  way  to  the  edge  of  the  rock, 
S 2 whence 
