An interesting paper was read at tht recent meeting of the Australian Mediea) Congress by Dr. MeLaurin, President of the Board of Health of New South Wales, on "Australian Mortality." The follovr l ng remarks in reference to the position ot these colonies in regard to what is perhaps the most dreaded disease that human flesh is heir to will be read with interest:— ,

As in almost every other part of the world, consumption of the lungs figures in most of our returns as the greatest single cause of death. It is first in the colonies of New South Wales and Victoria for the whole period, and in South Australia for one year. In Queensland it occupies the second place, in Tasmania the third place, excepting for one year, when it is second; and in the sparsely peopled territory of Western Australia it is only the tenth in the order of fatality. In New Zealand it is at the head of ( the list for two years of the period, and. lot the third it is bracketed an equal first with accidental causes. Where I have been able to separate approximately the urban and rural districts (Le., in New South Wales and Victoria) it will be found to head the list in Melbourne and suburbs and in Sydney; in the country districts of Victoria and the suburbs of Sydney it is found to take second place, excepting one year, when it is third; but in the rural districts of New South.Wales it holds only the third place, being exceeded by old age and accidents. What is the relative prevalence of phthisis in the various colonies? To answer this, I have prepared the accompanying table for the year 1885, the latest common to all the colonies for which I had materials—except ing Western Australia, for which I have only materials for one year—viz., 1886. It gives tbe number of deaths per 100,000 living in each colony or district which X have Been able to separate. Table I.—l&Sj. Distriot or Colony. Per 100.0W New South Wales .. « .. 116-71 Sydney ....,»«. 232.37 Suburbs .. ... .. — lfii.'tGi. Country .. — ~.». 75.W- Victoria .. „ .. 141,95' Melbourne and suburbs „ 239.13 ; Rest of Victoria.. .. « 88.6* Queensland ... „ .. w 18&SS ; Tasjnania .. „ ... ... 108438 South Australia .. .. *. 