The public health a public question. First report of the Metropolitan Sanitary Association on the chief evils affecting the sanitary condition of the metropolis, with suggestions for their removal; and containing the proceedings of the public meeting held at Freemason's Hall, Feb. 6th, 1850.

  • Metropolitan Sanitary Association (London, England)
Date:
1850
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The public health a public question. First report of the Metropolitan Sanitary Association on the chief evils affecting the sanitary condition of the metropolis, with suggestions for their removal; and containing the proceedings of the public meeting held at Freemason's Hall, Feb. 6th, 1850. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    and persevering exertion at the present time. The deep interest taken by many of the highest in the land in the welfare of the working classes, promises well for the cause of sanitary reform. Moreover, its influence has begun to be felt in the deliberations of the Legislature, and its importance and necessity to be recognised by parties who never thought of it a few years ago. The subject, indeed, only needs to be better known to awaken a more general and heartfelt interest. If the wealthy and influential in this great metropolis could but be induced to ascertain for themselves, and by personal inspection, the magnitude of those evils—evils which are capable of such easy correction—under which so many of their poorer fellow-citizens labour, it is confidently believed that not a session of Parliament would pass over without some large and efficient scheme of sanitary improvement being adopted. In conclusion, the Association earnestly appeal to the public to aid them in their efforts to advance the beneficent cause which they have taken in hand. The welfare of thousands is intimately involved in its success. A vast amount of disease, suffering, and death may be pre¬ vented every year by the adoption of simple and inexpensive measures. What has been done for our army and navy requires but to be done for our towns and villages; and the same happy results will follow. Let it be remembered, too, that a sickly population is one of the most costly burdens of a state. Health is the poor man’s capital in trade; and whatever deteriorates that, entails a direct loss, and eventually a heavy money charge, upon the community. The enormous amount of poverty and destitution in this country, and the consequent necessity for an impost of nearly £8,000,000 sterling annually for its relief, are in a great measure due to the pauperizing effects of preventible disease. But these are not the only social evils involved in this important inquiry. The localities, that are the nurseries of sickness and death, are almost invariably found to be the haunts of immorality and crime. Filth and squalor are as productive of moral debasement as of physical deprava¬ tion; the two natures of man are so intimately connected, that the defilement of the one is generally associated with pollution of the other. The truth of this important principle is beginning to be appreciated by all who take an active interest in the education of the poor. The words of the Bishop of London, in his admirable speech at the opening meeting of this Association, cannot be too strongly impressed on the