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■'I
Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health —1877—8.
Under such circumstances full health is impossible. Yet for the success and perma???
of national existence a high standard is absolutely necessary. Whatever in any way
??? to lower that standard must needs be fraught with the gravest results.
The manner in which the greater part of our trades are carried on, and the numerous
sions into which they are split, tends to deteriorate the race. These multiplied divisions,
??? the superfluous finish demanded, are incompatible with the full development of man.
???st the work presents a more beautiful aspect, the workman presents a more deform
???ct. One part of the mind and body are developed, whilst the others remain dormant,
so dwindle into uselessness. Better, far that we should be content with work less
???mented, than that it should be attained by the fatal outlay, or neglect of muscle and
???; weakening the one and deranging the other.
The girl who when she first begins with her carding machine, hedges in her life within
limits of thirty years; the weaver along with his fabric, weaves his face cloth and
???ud; the grinder with his metal, grinds away the hours of his life; and the indoor
???ker, in his dusty and crowded workshop poisons his fellow man, and is by him poisoned,
average death rate of our artisans is above that of the average death rate of the king.
Trade might be, and should be carried on so that those employed might enjoy good
???th, and reach the full measure of their days; and this state would be much more
???ly reached, was the health of the workman as carefully and as anxiously desired, as
the profits of his labour.
Train stated in this Hall, when applying to the Vestry for permission to lay down
aways in the district, that his intention was, to make walking dear and riding cheap,
??? was all very well, and his plans were happily designed, were ruling and business the
of life. There is no exercise so beneficial as walking, and none so ready and inexpenBy
it every muscle, or nearly so, is brought into play, and the elimination of the
up parts of our system effected; without which process being completed health is
possible; and this process cannot take place, whilst sitting or being carried about, as
vast numbers of the people are, from those who roll along in their carriages in Rotten
down to the costermongers swinging their lazy logs over the edge of their donkey
The main cause of our unhappiness and discomfort, arises from our unhealthiness.
this condition which gives the emotions such great power over us, in the production
???il and misery. Doubt and despondency would exercise less influence, and our wailings
lamentations would be more seldom heard, did we individually practise those means
which health is acquired and maintained; and if instead of recklessly disobeying the
plainest laws of health, we diligently obeyed them.
No feeble, sickly, effeminate nations have ever left great works behind them. Stately
???s, broad highways, bridges, aqueducts, extended commerce, cultivated lands, poets,
???s, and inspired thinkers, have been the memorials and legacies of a strong and stalwart
of men; men not suffering from brain, nervous, and other anomalous disease. I
???Id not deny, but that considerable mental power has often been displayed by weak and
teed individuals. But the beneficial exercise of such power is uncertain, and not to be