113 
following classes: 1; widow; 2) children (legitimate, natural, and foster- 
children); 3) parents and foster-parents; 4) brothers and sisters 
whom the deceased supported. Each of these classes excludes the 
following ones from the right to compensation, and if deceased leaves 
no relatives belonging to anv of them. all liability for compensation 
ceases. 
In 1927 the premiums paid in to the Seamen's Department amounted 
to 146 thousand krénur, besides a grant of 7600 krénur from the trea- 
sury, paid for fishermen on small boats. The sums granted in com- 
pensation during the year amounted in all to 83 thousand krénur (of 
which 63000 kr. went to dependants of deceased persons; invalidity 
compensations amounted to 6000 kr., while 14 000 kr. were paid out 
in the form of sick-relief). 
In the Industrial Department the premiums amounted to 53 000 
krénur; compensations to 29 000 krénur (i.e. in case of death 12 000 
krénur, invalidity compensations 1000 krénur, and 16 000 krénur by 
way of sick-relief). 
Sickness Insurance. Insurance against sickness did not begin in Ice- 
land till 1909, when a Sickness Benefit Society was formed in 
Reykjavik. Under an act passed in 1911 any sickness benefit so- 
ciety has the right to be registered, if it is not affected with any 
of the disabilities enumerated in the act; and it is only by registration 
that a sickness benefit society becomes entitled to a financial support 
from the State. 
Into these societies (and enjoying all the privileges of members) people 
are admissible at any age between 15 and 40 years, if they are 
not suffering from any chronic diseases which reduce their working 
capacity, and provided also their annual income (in towns and villages 
with a resident doctor) does not exceed 4500 krénur, plus 500 krén- 
ur for every child under 15 years. A further condition is that thev do 
not own property exceeding 10000 krénur in value. 
In the event of sickness the societies give free medical attendance 
and medicines (of which latter the patient has however to pay one- 
fourth), free hospital treatment, and a cash payment amounting per day 
to at least 50 aurar and at the highest to fwo-thirds of the patient's 
daily earnings. This daily cash payment is, however, restricted io mem- 
bers of-18 years and over, and obligatory onlv in cases where illness 
involves loss of employment. 
The government grant to the societies is 2 krénur a year for every 
member in towns and villages with a resident doctor; 2.25 krénur