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15
while the results of their arduous duties are apparent in
staying the attacks of disease; but, present evils once
counteracted, it is by no means rare to hear the utility of
sanitary measures questioned, and their adoption ridiculed.
It is true that famine, one of the principal causes of the
epidemics that formerly decimated cities and devastated
kingdoms, is not likely again to afflict us. The commercial
relations of civilised countries towards each other, and their
rapid and ready means of intercourse, almost precludes the
possibility of that great precursor of pestilence doing extensive
mischief. But, while it is idle to ascribe the prevalence
of disease entirely to a scarcity in the supply of food, it is
equally futile to deny that plenty is an active and important
agent in preserving the health of the people. When bread
is cheap and employment abundant, the hospital beds lack
tenants; we must seek, then, in other causes, for an explanation
of our increased mortality. Among some of these
may be noted the irregularity of seasons, a prevailing east
wind, a temperature either excessively hot or cold, a superabundance
of moisture in the atmosphere. All these are
pregnant with danger to the aged or the sickly.
But, as these are utterly beyond control, we must seek in
matters within our own reach for means to stay mortality;
and it is fortunate for us that science has pointed out some
of those means in the observance of sanitary laws, not only
by the constituted authorities, but also by every individual
in the community. It is true that the power of local legislation
is somewhat circumscribed by popular prejudice; but
then it becomes our bounden duty to educate the public
mind to the truth by plainly showing the disasters that
inevitably attend neglect of cleanliness, and inattention to
personal and domestic purification. Everybody should