Note 7 — BLACK PHTHISIS,

Note from the evidence of a collier examined before the Government Commissioners in 1842, No. 147 of Report. "Colliers in this part of the country are subject to many oppressions; first, Black spit, which attacks the men as soon as they get the length of 30 years of age;" second, Note 150, "The want of proper ventilation in the pit is the chief cause, and no part requires more looking after than East Lothian," the men die off like rotten sheep. Note, 153, the witness, 32 years old, says, "I am unable to labour much now, as I am fashed with bad breathing—the air below is very bad, and till lately no ventilation existed."