Chapter LXXVII: Part 3: of table

+----------------------------+
| Whole Borough. |
+---------+----------+-------+
| | Lung | |
|Phthisis.| Diseases | All |
| |other than|Causes.|
| |Phthisis. | |
+---------+----------+-------+
| 1.19 | .80 | 4.8 |
| 1.31 | 1.20 | 6.7 |
| 2.21 | 3.10 | 13.6 |
| 1.76 | 6.32 | 21.6 |
| 1.43 | 14.67 | 45.6 |
| | | |
| .47 | 27.65 | 105.1 |
+---------+----------+-------+

The conclusion to be drawn from the Blackburn figures is that weaving in that town is somewhat healthier than the other cotton occupations, and in this connection it must be remembered that “steaming” is practically confined to weaving-sheds. If one could go more deeply into this subject, it might probably be shown that some of the disparity in the death-rates of weavers and spinners in Blackburn is due to the classes of people from which they are drawn. From all these figures it may be deduced that the cotton trade has little or no harmful effect as compared with most other trades at the earlier age periods. After the age of fifty-five the death-rate becomes enormous. There is, however, only a very small number of cotton operatives over the age of fifty-five. Failure of eyesight generally makes it necessary for them to give up this work and find some other employment before reaching this age. It seems almost certain that the very large death-rates at the ages of fifty-five to sixty-five, and sixty-five and upwards, are due to a great extent to a difference in the manner in which the census returns and the death returns are made.

As this article shows, much has been done by legislation to make the cotton trade healthy. There still, however, remains much to be done, not only by further legislation, but by the operative himself, in shaping his conduct on reasonably healthy lines. For instance, there is nothing more desirable than the provision of good cloakrooms, sufficiently large, well-warmed and ventilated, and constructed in such a way as to be a real convenience; but these are of little use unless the operatives make proper use of them, and provide themselves with clothes sufficiently warm to protect them against the sudden and severe change of temperature that they are subjected to. The cotton operative is extremely neglectful in this matter of clothing, and to this fact is probably due much of the ill effect put down to steaming.

The further improvements that suggest themselves as likely to be most beneficial are:--

(1) The extension of the regulations with regard to ventilation to all weaving-sheds and to other departments of the cotton industry.

(2) The substitution of electricity for gas for lighting purposes.

(3) The enforcement of proper cleanliness, particularly with regard to the floors of weaving-sheds.

(4) The provision of cloakrooms and lavatories.

(5) The complete disconnection of all sanitary conveniences from the workrooms by means of an open space.

JAMES WHEATLEY.