View report page

11
an excite no surprise that disease and death are the result. Unclean
and intemperate habits among the poor are still most fruitful sources
of disease, and although it appears almost impossible to eradicate
these, yet it is frequently easy to remove hindrances to the cultivaion
of the opposite virtues. The want of a comfortable and clean
come is, in most instances, the origin of intemperance, and its concequences,
neglect, poverty, and disease. For the existence of these
habits the poor are far from excusable, but while human nature
remains what it is, the good of the commonwealth or the ultimate
food of the individual will be found to be insufficient with the
gnoraut, as motives to self restraint, cleanliness, temperance and
order. Show them some present good, and the old may be weaned
rom pernicious and degrading practices, and the young kept true to
hat path, which it is to be hoped all propose to keep when they
tart on the journey of life.
I have thought it desirable to dwell on this subject longer than
nay be considered necessary, as I have a very strong conviction of
the magnitude of the evil, and the comparatively small amount of
attention it commands. To some extent, it may be true that this
???tate of things is exceptional and transitory, and will eventually right
???tself. Whether that may be the case or not, it is gratifying to those
whose duty it is to watch over the health of the people, to observe,
chat the tendency of recent legislation is to give greater freedom to the
poor, and there can be little doubt that the law of settlement, which
mas hitherto fixed the helpless to one spot, will ere long be abolished,
and thus leave them to go wherever their interest or health may
incline them.
It is now, for the ninth time, my pleasing duty to thank the
Board and its Officers for their kind assistance and co-operation in
all my attempts to discharge the duties of the office entrusted to me.
I am,
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
ROBERT BIANCHI.