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12
who survived the age of forty barely numbered onethird
of the total born; and that so many die within
the next twenty years that barely one-fifth of the persons
born survive the age of sixty.
These facts prove the intimate connection between
an excessive infantile mortality and a lowhealth-standard
of the adult population. A disciple of Malthus or of
Martineau, looking merely at the first term of the comparison,
might rejoice to find that the "preventive
check" against a redundant population was in full
operation. But those for whom this inhuman philosophy
has no attraction, who look with a clearer insight into
the causes of the power and prosperity of this country,
will reflect upon the full import of both terms in their
connection with each other, and will perceive a powerful
incentive to exertion to counteract those life-depressing
influences which cannot destroy infant-life without impairing
adult health, and thus reducing the productive
power of the community.
I have the honour to be,
Gentlemen,
Your faithful Servant,
ROBERT BARNES, M.D.
13, Devonshire Square,
11 th April, 1857.