HH62/2/SUTHER/27

Transcription

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that stock of strength which is needed for hard work, and which is
so frequently found to be lacking in the combat with disease.
It is grievous to have to state that, even in our Highlands, not so
much of the cheap and nourishing food - porridge and milk - is used
as formerly, and this food is not replaced by any other of equal value.
Clothing. - ln our fickle climate I know many diseases of lungs
and kidneys have been caused by insufficient amount of clothing,
which has not been chosen in obedience to the demands of nature, so
much as in compliance with the unspoken and unwritten laws of
custom and fashion. Thus children get bronchitis and croup, and
grown people pleurisy, inflammation of lungs, and congestion of kidneys
and abdominal organs, because these organs have not been covered
by proper clothing - which means wool in some combination or
another - a covering absolutely essential for heat-preservation and the
avoidance of chills in our rapidly-varying temperature, and which,
curiously enough, is always worn after illnesses of the above kind.
The probability is, if they were worn before, the disease would have
been prevented. The erroneous belief that it is effeminate to wear
flannels next the skin may account for a good deal of disease, as also
the fact that disease results from careless attention after getting
clothes wet.
It is worth noting that not a small number of people or their
friends either do not call in skilled advice at all in times of sickness,
or try to have disease cured by quack medicines and unskilled
advisers, or postpone the asking of skilled help till diseases get too
far on in their course to be held in check.
Though perhaps not so much now as on many previous occasions,
much damage is done by ignorant and untrained nurses, who assume
the duties of midwives, but are quite bereft of the essential qualifica-
tions and appliances necessary for such work. By their carelessness,
uncleanliness, and malpractice, as also by many bone-setters in their
various districts, diseases have certainly been caused, and others,
instead of being stopped in their progress, or skilfully guided to a
safe end, have been aggravated and accelerated to an untoward
termination.
Life is destroyed or maimed by lack of knowledge as well as by
direct violence; by means invisible as well as by means directly
visible; and a great deal of disease is caused by ignorance of the laws
of cause and effect. These causes will be removable only when an
increase in practical education in hygiene is brought about. Other
diseases are caused by conscious carelessness, and it would be well if
the results of this cause could be always limited to the originators;
and many others by supineness in those responsible for the care of
infants or dependents, but whose responsibility does not stimulate
them to choose the right path, even though they know it.
Finally, on the subject of the causation of disease, I feel con-
strained to say that the custom of holding Wakes on the dead in the
same room as the corpse, or the same room as that in which a person

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had been lying ill for some months of such a disease as phthisis, is
not unattended with danger, the more especially as the dust-laden
air is very defiled with the breath of so many condoling neighbours,
some of whom may possibly be predisposed to phthisis themselves,
and who only need such an exciting cause as this to set it agoing.
And it is coming to be an important question whether all bodies
dead of infectious disease should not be buried with a coating of
substances of germicidal powers, so that by no possibility shall it be
afterwards possible for the germs to be diffused into air or water -
which is the more likely to happen in some places because of the too
shallow depth at which dead bodies are deposited in their graves.
Some experts go so far as to say that there is an absolute
necessity for the cremation of the remains of all animals dead of
diseases which can be communicated to other animals or man.

THE REMEDY.
A good case has now, I think, been made out, and to remedy it
demands and should, on account of its importance, obtain the whole-
hearted endeavour of all who are interested in the welfare of their
fellowmen. The object to be aimed at now is to start a crusade
against Dirt and Disease and preventable Death, and to have erected
in all our parishes such a barrier of cleanliness that at least prevent-
able disease shall be hindered from finding a resting-place or environ-
ment suitable for its spread. If we cannot in every case prevent the
inroad of the essential cause or virus of disease, we can at least prevent
its growing-place, viz, the uncleanliness of our surroundings, from
arising anew if once it was removed. And the practical result is the
same: the disease is limited or stopped.
No remedy will produce an effect if it is not employed, and an
illustration of this truth is readily found in the past annals of sani-
tation in the case of most rural Parochial Boards, who simply did
not, or would not, employ what powers they had to cure or alleviate
their admittedly bad conditions.
To-day it is one of the great social questions how best to obtain
or retain in our country districts a numerous and healthy population.
No inducement similar in value to the one of health can be
offered to our town dwellers if we ask them to return to rural
districts, and both to encourage migration from over-congested
districts, and to retain in our sparsely populated Highland counties
the present inhabitants, no small efforts will require to be made by
the administration of our County Councils to render the conditions
necessary for a healthy life as perfect as possible.
However much may be accomplished by the operation of laws or
Acts of Parliament, they are mostly for use as a last resource; and I
am of opinion that a more increased knowledge of their intention,
coupled with the gentle persuasion of all Councillors and men in
positions of influence, who must themselves be examples of what