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1908]
24
them to procure better clothes, better food, and better housing than in the
olden days, when shoeless boys and girls were the rule, just as now they
are the exception. Even during the winter which has passed one could not
but notice that the crowds of men who were out of work and who demonstrated
in processions in Islington and elsewhere in London were as a rule
well clothed. These facts show that the Englishman is generally better off
than the workmen of Continental countries, although there too the position
of the working-classes has been much improved. Indeed, nearly everywhere
the conditions under whirh they live have improved because their welfare
has become the concern of the State; and it is well that it should be so, for
after all they are a State's first asset, and this being so it is right that the
State should see that the houses which they occupy are habitable and healthy,
that the food which they eat is good, wholesome, nutritous, and pure, and
that the conditions under which they work are as favourable as can be reasonably
desired.
In Islington for many years—certainly since 1892—these have been the
aims of the Medical Officer of Health and the officers of the Public Health
Department, whose work has been invariably well supported by the
members of the Council—(although the recent refusal to grant Health
Visitors was an error of judgment, which to a certainty will some day be
atoned for). This is of course as it should be, for the work of every sanitary
authority must ultimately be gauged by the results of its endeavours to
keep the people healthy. It would be well that sanitary authorities should
keep this view continually before them. It is true that it happens that the
results to be obtained by the wise expenditure of money are not, as a rule
indeed hardly ever, seen at once, because the effect of all sanitary measures
is only perceived after the lapse of time, sometimes years, and not immediately.
It is, therefore, well for the Council to recollect this truth when considering
the advice given by their responsible officers. The present healthy state of
affairs in Islington is mainly due to the general policy of the Public Health
Department that was adopted in 1892 and 1893, and which was subsequently
followed more or less by nearly every health authority in London, and not to the
adoption of any recent measures. The foundation of the Public Health
Administration that was laid down by the old Vestry of St. Mary, Islington,
was very good, and we now see the superstructure in the more healthy
lives of the people. Still there are defects in the bridge of life which stretches
from the cradle to the grave, but these defects can be remedied to a large
extent by means that are available at a small cost. Many years ago