ABSTRACT
The vital statistics of India are derived from five chief sources. Of these, the first or European army consists of foreigners under special medical conditions, and subject to the disturbing influence of 'invaliding.' The second, or native army; the third, or jail population ; and the fourth, or police; are all composed of natives, but of natives under special conditions as regards food, discipline, or labour. It is dangerous to generalize from returns thus obtained, with regard to the health statistics of the ordinary population of India. In municipalities, however, registration furnishes a fairly accurate account of the vital statistics of the urban population. Registration of vital statistics in Bengal is very im- Vital perfect, and it is only with regard to deaths that any attempt is made at a general registration. Registration of vital statistics is still very imperfect in Vital Madras, although better than in the Bengal Districts.
