The growth of cities in relation to town planning / by A.K. Chalmers.

  • Chalmers, A. K. (Archibald Kerr), 1856-1942.
Date:
[1908]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The growth of cities in relation to town planning / by A.K. Chalmers. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    neglect of tJmt on Avliicli ilje ])roljleni iK priinai'ily l)<ise(l — I mean the occnpancy of a house whieli is unfit for liuman habi- tation. To such I would quote the words of Sir John Simon in describing tlie sanitaiy condi- tions of the London poor now many years ago:— “ Who can wonder if personal and moral degra- dation conform them more and more to the physi- cal debasement of their abode ? In the midst of inevitable domestic filth who can wonder that personal cleanliness should be neglected ? In an atmosphere that forbids the breath to be drawn freely, which maintains habitual ill-health, Avhich depresses all the spring and boTiyancy of life, who can wonder that frequent recourse should be had to stimulants, which, however pernicious in them- selves, still for a moment dispel the malarious langour of the ]:>lace, give temporary vigour to the brain and cheer the flagging pulses of a poisoned circulation ? Who can wonder that habits of improvidence and recklessness shotdd arise in a population which not only has imtch ignorance and prejudice amongst it but is likewise often un- accustomed to consideration and kindness ? Who can wonder that the laws of Society should at times be forgotten by those Avhom the eyes of Society habitually overlook, and whom the heart of Society often ajDpears to discard ? ” Since these words were written, almost a generation has passed and much progress towards reform has been made. By every test which can be aj^plied, the general character of the liousing of town popu- lation has been improved. Each census has shown this. In Scotland, according to a return recently