Statistics of grave-yards in Scotland / by John Webster.

  • Webster, John.
Date:
[1855?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Statistics of grave-yards in Scotland / by John Webster. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Numerous causes have been assigned to account for the great mortality of Glasgow, and the inferior position it occupies in the longevity scale. Its damp and generally low situation; the insalubrious and often dangerous employments in which many persons are engaged ; the unhealthy atmosphere, polluted by thick smoke or noxious vapours from chemical works and fur¬ naces ; the mixed and varied races who dwell in crowded courts; the ill-ventilated dwellings ; the spare living; the vegetable diet; whiskey—Scotia’s bane; exposure to a moist climate; cold weather; imperfect clothing, which prevails especially amongst women and children of the lower ranks, whose necks, extremities, or heads have very seldom any covering, and who frequently walk the streets, whatever the season, without either shoes or stockings— all these influences, irrespective of others, which are constantly in operation throughout very large and crowded communities, have contributed to affect so deleteriously the public health of Glasgow. But, whatever may actually have proved the chief causes, there can¬ not exist any doubt respecting the conclusion already enunciated, viz., that this city is neither healthy as a residence, nor remarkable for the longevity of its inhabitants. There is, however, now living in the neighbourhood, a lady in her 107th year, and very recently another female was reported to have died at the age of 101 : whilst a carpenter named John Walney died in Glasgow during 1757, actually 124 years old. This man is stated to have married eleven wives, all of whom he buried; and of his seventeen children five survived him, whose ages amounted to 326 years collectively. 3. Greenoch. In the graveyard and cemetery of this beautifully situated town, with its numerous splendid aquatic mountain pro¬ spects, the ages recorded on several monuments spoke rather favourably as to its general salubrity, and the longevity of its inhabitants. The actual position occupied in the mortuary scale by this town, with at least 38,000 residents, although not very high, seemed satisfactory. From 80 to 85 appeared not unfre¬ quent ages, considering the population. Some recorded ages were 87 ; but the highest I observed on any monument was 90, although a few older persons than the above lie interred in the new ceme¬ tery. Recently, the mortality has been considerable at Green¬ ock, especially amongst young persons; more than half the ag¬ gregate deaths having occurred in children under five years. Notwithstanding these facts, this district may be reckoned superior in salubrity to Glasgow, but under several towns to be noticed sub¬ sequently. 4. Stirling. This ancient city, having near 13,000 inhabitants, and celebrated for its castle, and for its splendid prospect over the fertile vale of Forth, gave good grave-yard evidence as to the posi¬ tion of this district in the scale of longevity. Many persons in¬ terred in the parish churchyard and in another burying ground were from 75 to 80, some reached 83 and beyond; one was 86,