Bills of Mortality of York. 43 
After tlie general caufes of healthinefs, fuch as are particu- 
lar, or of a more local nature, come under confideration. In 
this refpeCt the city of York has been much improved within 
a few years paid. The ft reefs have been widened in many places, 
by taking down a number of old houfes built in fuch a man- 
ner as almoft to meet in the upper ftories, by which the fun 
and air were almoft excluded in the ftreets and inferior apart- 
ments. They have alfo been new paved, additional drains 
made, and, by the prefent method of conducting the rain from 
the houfes, are become much drier and cleaner than formerly. 
The erection of the locks, about four miles below the city, has 
been a great advantage to it : for, before this, the river was 
frequently very low, leaving quantities of fludge and dirt in 
the very heart of the city, alio the filth of the common fewers 
which it was unable to wafh away. The lock has effectually 
prevented this for the future, by the river being kept always 
high, broad, and fpacious ; and has thus contributed to the 
falubrity as well as beauty of York. In the above improve- 
ments, in others that are intended to take place, in the care 
and expence neceffary to keep in proper repair the public walks 
about the city, the magiftrates have exerted much public fpirit, 
and have added to the health as well as confulted the conve- 
nience of its inhabitants. 
York, 
Sept. 8, 1781. 
