Germs, dust, and disease : two chapters in our life history / by Andrew Smart.

  • Smart, Andrew.
Date:
[1883]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Germs, dust, and disease : two chapters in our life history / by Andrew Smart. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    fear, be as unproductive as that of the original. But will you permit me, in form at least, to invoke the shade of our great countryman—might I not say townsman?—Adam Smith. We should not certainly expect the renowned economist to indite a new “wealth of nations,” from a modern stand-point, a century after his great work was given to the world; for what he wrote in 1776 appears to have been given for all time. But look- ing back, and gathering up the lessons of the past, one can imagine that he would, at least, add a prefatory note somewhat in these words; that is, if I may be permitted to suggest words to so great an oracle:—There are two primary and fundamental considerations upon which national stability and permanency rest. The first regards the health of the people—the other its education. Any system of government, without full provision being made for these, will be incomplete : and, in regard to the former, the best guarantee of a nation’s security will be wanting. Therefore, above all things, let no government, in its administrative capacity, be without its health department, presided over by a wise and energetic Health Minister, whose supreme duty it shall be to create and to vigilantly administer laws, the aim of which shall be to pro- tect the health of every subject, and especially to surround that of the dependent industrial population, with every possible safe- guard. Then, addressing his own countrymen, might we not sup- pose the philosopher, with increased emphasis, to add:—A nation, such as ours, of thirty-four millions, with a vast manufacturing in- dustry, a most busy and flourishing commerce, an Indian Empire to govern and maintain, colonies to attract the most vigorous and enterprising of our people, great fortresses to man and defend, cannot afford to waste the lives of its citizens, any more than those whom it has chosen and trained to fight its battles. Are not labour and capital the two pillars upon which a free common- wealth rests 1 Disease paralyses labour and wastes capital. It ought then to be the primary object of an enlightened State to prevent disease, preserve health, and prolong life; and to main- tain the whole people in the highest efficiency alike for the labours of peace, or the struggles of war.* * For part of closing sentence vide “ Public Health,” passim, Dr Guy.