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4
Some will treat my report otherwise. With jealous eye on
money transactions they will ask "What doth it profit ?" Some
will suggest that a report from the Vestry Clerk, describing the
many amusing legal incidents respecting "rights of way," and
such like matters of litigation, would have far greater interest to the
public than discussions on sanitary questions. Some will count the
number of "1's" in the report, possibly regretting that they refer
to a less favoured individual. Some will examine, side by side,
the annual parish money account, and the annual parish life account,
and having done so, will exclaim "Why all this waste?" To
them the possible reduction of the parish rate, or its possible increase,
will be regarded as of infinitely greater importance than the increase,
or decrease of the death-rate. The health report is I know, not
unfrequently, put aside at best for a few minutes the last thing, and
too often would feel itself honoured if it even got this. I know I
am speaking the mind of my brother medical officers when I venture
to urge that it might be for the advantage of the metropolis if the
various sanitary reports issued from time to time by the Medical
Officers of Health in London and in the Country, received a
little more attention and consideration than is usual. I admit
that personally I have no grounds for complaint on this matter.
I should be ungrateful if I did not express my obligations,
not only at the courteous attention and indulgent criticisms
that my reports have always received from the Vestry, but
what is more, at the readiness with which the Members of the Vestry
have in all cases met me, when I have deemed it my duty to make
suggestions, such as I believed were for the good of the parish. More
particularly I must express to the Sanitary Committee my special
obligations for the hours of patient thought, they have at all times
devoted to all matters I have brought before them, and without
exception, the readiness they have ever shown to carry out sanitary
measures. In no case have I ever asked for moral support as well as
for authority, but that support and authority have been readily
—although I must add intelligently—given. Indeed, a medical
officer's work would be little else than a farce unless it was
supplemented by the assistance of those to whom he should look
for assistance. Still, granting all this, I feel sufficiently ambitious
to ask for more and greater attention from the public, on the
enormous questions of Life v. Death, and Health v. Disease.