INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

OF PAST FAMINES. 91
remarks also apply to the following column.
"Tuccavee," in column 10, is explained in the
footnote at page 50.
lt is seldom that famines recur in exactly the
same districts and under similar circumstances.
It may be that one province, or part of it, is
common to half-a-dozen famines; but it is
affected in a greater or less degree each time,
and it has as often a different district associated
with it in its distress. It is therefore impossible
to contrast the intensities of the various
famines with each. other with mathematical
precision, but the table will furnish the grounds
for a general comparison of facts and results.
I have said that the chief point to be looked
to in the results of a {amine is the mortality
caused by it j and in contrasting a series of
famines, we can arrive at a very fair idea of
their effects by comparing the percentages of
deaths recorded. In doing so, we should, of
course, also expect to find a constant ratio of
diminution, corresponding to our knowledge of
the people and to our experience in the management
of such disasters-i.e., the later the