Page:Transactions of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, volume 2.djvu/204

 with reference to the population, in the same important light as the needle-grinding of Sheffield or the cotton-spinning of Manchester. With regard to the workmen engaged in the various preparations of shipping, we are inclined to think that their labours are rather conducive than prejudicial to their health, since, on the one hand, they are not subject to long or close confinement, nor, on the other, are they too much exposed to the atmosphere; in addition to this, their occupations are, for the most part, the reverse of sedentary, and yet are not attended with inordinate or exhausting exertions. On the whole, then, we are decidedly of opinion that the occupations of the population of this locality, bear but a small proportion in the causes of disease, if we compare it with other cities peopled to an equal amount.

The kinds of subsistence used among the lower classes, are constantly varying with the demand for work and the rate of wages. When the latter are not very low, the families of the poor contrive, for the most part, to obtain animal food three or four times a week. but the meat is generally bacon. When they are unable to procure meat, the mid-day meal generally consists of boiled potatoes, or, almost as frequently, of tea with bread and lard. It is to be regretted that the prejudice against oatmeal is almost universally prevalent in this district, and that the deficiency of other articles is not supplied by porridge. Occasionally the fish-market is overstocked, and the poor have then an opportunity of purchasing herrings, mackerel, and such kinds of fish, at a very low rate, but too often not till the delay in the sale