Julian-dike, and from another spring in the field of Hautempris, in the Northwestynges, from thence descending by different courses, as far as the aforesaid ditch of Julian-dike, may have a direct course in the aforesaid ditch called Julian-dike, as is above written of the aforesaid matters, in the support, upholding and relief of the royal town aforesaid.

constructed.

"Moreover, we, the aforesaid Commissioners, according to Course of the tenour, force, form and effect of the Commission aforesaid, dike to be have caused diligent inquiry to be made by means of different Commissions, taken before us in neighbouring places and parts adjacent, in the presence of tenants making communications on the ground aforesaid, where the ditch aforesaid is ordered to be made, as in the verdicts of the said inquisitions, sealed and stitched to this letter more fully appears.

land affected.

"All which things having been ordered, ordained, determined Consent of and adjudged, and also (as it is said) inquired into by us, the tenants of aforesaid Commissioners, the tenants of the ground aforesaid, with unanimous assent and consent, have defined and ordained that the aforesaid ditch should be made, as well in length and breadth as in depth, according to our order, determination, and decision aforesaid, and the verdict of the inquisition aforesaid.

"In testimony, affirmation and approval of our aforesaid order, determination and decisions, to last for ever, for the improvement of the adjacent county, and the relief and support of the aforesaid royal town, according to the effect of the Commission of the Lord the King, we have affixed our seals to these presents.

"Dated the eighth day of October, in the third year of the reign of King Henry the Fourth after the Conquest."

APPENDIX B.

Results of sanitary works at Merthyr Tydfil.

Reduction of death-rate.

Fevers.

SANITARY CONDITION OF MERTHYR TYDFIL,

1845-85.

IN 1885, Mr. Thomas Jones Dyke, Medical Officer of the Merthyr Tydfil Local Board of Health, presented an annual report, in which he showed the results of the various sanitary works completed by the Board since its establishment in March, 1850. Table A. of this report places the figures in a form adopted by Dr. Buchanan in his ninth annual report to the Privy Council, 1861. In the first column are (Mr. Dyke's preface is now quoted) "the proportions of deaths per 10,000 of total population yearly in the period of eleven years, 1845-1855, that is before any works of sanitation were commenced. In the second column, are the proportions during the six years while paving works were being done and inspection and removal of nuisances were attended to, the years 1856-61. In the third column, the period of four years, 1862-65, is taken, that is while the works above alluded to were being done, and while the water supply was being laid. In the fourth column are the proportions during the ten years 1866-75, when the water supply was perfected, and while the sewers and drains, and sewage disposal, were being made and completed. The fifth column gives the yearly proportion of deaths during the ten years 1876-85, when the whole of the sanitary works were completed, and sanitary inspections were in full operation.

"In referring to this Table A. you will not fail to notice the gradual and continuous reduction of the death-rate from all causes, from an average of 332 per 10,000 in 1845-55 to one of 231 in 1876-85, and also observe that the proportionate mortality of infants under one year was lessened from 80 to 45 per 10,000.

"The various forms of contagious fevers, affecting children principally (measles, scarlet fever, whooping cough, diphtheria), do not seem to have been in any way affected by sanitary im

provements; but with regard to other fevers (continued, typhoid,
or enteric fevers), the former seems to have disappeared from
the list of maladies fatal to our people, while the deaths due to
the latter malady have been diminished from 21 to 3 per 10,000.
The favourable effect of good sanitary work was distinctly Cholera.
shown in the death-rate from cholera, which in 1849 (when no
sanitation had been attempted) was 267 per 10,000, was reduced
in 1854, when refuse removal, house inspection, road and
channel making were being done, to 83 per 10,000; and when,
in 1865, a supply of good water was given, the death-rate sank
to 20 per 10,000.

"The death-rate from infantile diarrhoea was reduced from Gain of life. 11 to 4 per 10,000. The average age at death was increased

from 17 to 274 years, a clear gain of ten years of life.

"The drainage of the subsoil by the construction of sewers, Consumption. and making house closet and yard drains, and the consequent drying of the subsoil of houses, has borne fruit, as evidenced by the reduction of the deaths from phthisis or consumption (a disease particularly affecting persons living in damp houses) from 38 to 22 per 10,000.

Lastly, there remains to be noticed those diseases which Bronchial disorders. have become more fatal during the last twenty years than they were during the previous fifteen years. I allude to acute and chronic bronchitis, and to pneumonia. The rates in the first

period were 33, in the second period 45, per 10,000. I have in this report, and in many previous reports, stated that these maladies are proverbially most fatal in damp, unventilated dwellings, and I can only hope that laws may be enacted which may enable sanitary authorities to grapple more speedily with these prolific sources of this wasteful slaughter of hundreds of valuable lives annually.

"In conclusion, I will here state the costs of the structural Costs of works. works made, and of the professional and other labour employed during the 35 years since the duties of the authority were commenced.

"The works for water supply have cost 155,0007, and the works for sewers, sewage irrigation and filtration, including the purchase of lands, 105,0007., making a total of 260,000l. To this sum should be added the charges for scavenging, gaslighting, paving, channeling, interest on money borrowed, and establishment charges for the whole period, 240,0007.; in all 500,000. The present income for water rents is 5,3007.; from

works.

Income from payments made by other authorities for the use of wide irrigation areas, from lands and houses, and profits of farming, 3,620.; thus giving an annual income of 8,9207. The properties of the local board (that is, the water works, freehold lands, houses, &c.) are now estimated to be worth 300,000l.

Remunerative nature of sanitary works.

"A consideration of the various statistics of deaths from many causes which I have laid before you, and of the facts with regard to the costs incurred, show conclusively that sanitary works well planned, well executed, and thoroughly worked conduce to better health, and longer life, and become a source of profitable income to communities" :

[TABLE A.

C.P.-VOL. II.