View report page

141
been aiming at. They have succeeded, and are succeeding, witness the
comparative vital statistics.
Better environment is a measure of human progress—desirable,
necessary, and very properly a public concern. It and its results are
all with which this Report is concerned. But the whole ground and
circumstances of health are not covered. Actual racial deterioration
is not incompatible with such achievement as is recorded in these and
the pages of similar Reports. Eugenically, we may be making no
headway; may even rapidly be losing ground. It is desirable that
this point of view be kept in mind. It will not weaken present effort,
but it will save from too sanguine a view of what has been
accomplished, aud perhaps in time lead to more comprehensive
endeavour than is at present contemplated.
* * * *
I cannot close this Report without acknowledgment of the efforts
made by the Council, my Colleagues, and my Staff in the endeavour to
promote the public health. To the Chairman and Members of your
Public Health Committee I desire to tender my warmest thanks for
their zealous support, and to the Members of my Staff I desire to
express my sincere appreciation of their loyal and devoted service.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
WILLIAM BUTLER.