How can the sanitary condition of the population engaged in the coast fisheries of Scotland be improved? : a paper read before the Health Department of the National Association for the Promotion of Social Science at the Aberdeen Congress, on 21st September, 1877 / by William Paul.

  • Paul, William, 1804-1884.
Date:
21 cm
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: How can the sanitary condition of the population engaged in the coast fisheries of Scotland be improved? : a paper read before the Health Department of the National Association for the Promotion of Social Science at the Aberdeen Congress, on 21st September, 1877 / by William Paul. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    is improved houses and proper sanitary arrangements have had a marked and most beneficial effect on the character, energies, and social relations of the fishermen on the East Coast. It is interesting to observe the anxiety often expressed that, as each succeeding house is erected, it should in some detail excel that which preceded it. A taste for home comforts is, with every man, a powerful rival to the public house, and a strong incentive to industry and frugality. I am satisfied that, as their material prosperity has increased, intemperance has sensibly decreased among our fishing population. Improved harbours \ fixity of tenure, where outlay is contem¬ plated by the tenant; and proper police arrangements in the fish¬ ing villages, will soon be followed by commodious, comiortable, and healthy dwellings. Progress in this respect is unquestionably at the root of moral not less than physical improvement. Clean¬ liness is akin to godliness. The teaching of religion, all-powerful as the highest motive to human action, is successful in no small degree in proportion to the progress of sanitary science. The diffusion of the principles which govern that science, and their ^practical application amongst a class of the community deserving of our strongest interest and solicitude, and to whom we are in¬ debted for an important contribution to the national resources, are therefore worthy of prominent attention and exhaustive dis¬ cussion at any congress of Social Reformers.