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9
them to exercise it with as little delay as possible. It
is certain that the present generation of London children
is physically degenerate.
This evil will necessarily be pepetuated to future generations,
and in gradually growing proportions. Of
course I refer to that large majority of children who,
except upon rare occasions of a few hours' or days'
duration, are compelled to exist in wretchedly-constructed
dwellings, deficient in every requirement necessary
to the preservation of health. Even with sufficient
good food these adverse conditions of deficient light,
air and space, would pervert and counteract the effects
of the best of feeding, and yet no provision is made in
the way of play-grounds, whereby children can temporarily
escape from their unwholesome homes, and obtain
that exercise essential to healthy physical and mental
development. Ornamental recreation grounds arc useless
for this special purpose; what is required are bonafide
play-grounds, where children can, under proper
supervision, do as they like; how, otherwise, can they
become healthy and strong men and women, either mentally
or bodily. Natural exercise and play are essential
to improve and check the enfeebled and unhealthy
condition of the present generation of London children,
otherwise these who live, or rather half live, must
become the progenitors of a still more degenerate race.
This is a subject which might be pursued to an indefinite
extent, but I have simply theught it my duty to
again refer to it, because I still consider it to be one of
the greatest and most elementary questions affecting
the public health.
I have always referred, in my reports, to the relation
between dwelling-houses and the health of their occupants.
Houses still continue to be and are allowed to be
erected with entire disregard to sanitary views; foundations
unprepared, the ground well impregnated with the
materials for malarious emanations; next, the super.