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ages, was 2.0, 7.5, 44.9, 181.8; so rapidly did the power of resistance decline
with age. Taking the increase of mortality by cold between 20—40 as one,
then the mortality became 2, 4, 8, and so on, doubling every 9 years.
"The effects of the cold of the five weeks that ended on the 19th of
this December have been tested in the same way by comparing the deaths
at each age with the deaths in the five previous average weeks. The deaths
were raised from 6967 to 9871; so the excess due to cold was 2904 in the
five weeks, and on an average 581 weekly. The mortality, higher than
before, increased with age at the same rate; it was in every 1000 living at
the four ages, 2.2 at 20—40; 9.4 at 40—60; 46.9 at 60—80; and 218.3 at
80 and upwards.
"The mortality from cold increased 8 per cent. for every year of age;
or it doubled every 9 years from the age of 20, as it did in 1855. There
is thus a law of mortality from excess of cold. But it must not, therefore,
be assumed that the mortality is beyond control.
The air we inhale at 28° or lower is raised not to blood heat but to
something approaching 98° when it is exhaled; and as about a gallon of air
is thus heated every minute, and as the evaporated vapour in the breath also
carries off a considerable quantity of heat, the loss by the lungs is large,
however warm the clothing may be.
"The cold is most effectively combated by exercise which excites the
heating energy of the system, and warmth is sustained by nutritious food; by
artificial heat; by warm woollen or fur clothing; and by the respirator
which retains the heat exhaled by respiration."
The facts as given above by the Registrar General are so important, as
showing the causes of the increased mortality during cold weather, that I
make no apology for quoting them in this Report; and I would only add to
the above valuable suggestions relating to the benefits to be derived from the
use of artificial heat during very cold weather, that not only is it essential
to wear warm, not necessarily heavy, clothing on going out of doors, but to
wear sufficiently warm clothing in-doors, so that the body may be always
kept warm, whereby it will not only be better able to resist the cold atmosphere
out of doors, but will enable it to endure with impunity the cold air
of the passages, and of the unoccupied rooms of the house.