The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-10-11 00:00:00

MR. F. S. POWELL ON HEALTH.

At a meeting of the Social Science Congress at
Manchester, on Saturday, Mr. F. S. Powell delivered
the departmental address on " Health," and com-
menced by observing that those who command atten-
tion on the great national question of public health
do but enfant juntioo to the progrono made during the
present generation. Granted that there are problems
yet unsolved; admitted that doubts still attend the
sanitary reformer as he pursues some parts of his
course, still much ground is made for ever good, and
the area of uncertainty is yearly diminished by the
facts which experience and science disclose. He con-
trasted the dark and repulsive condition of some
Lancashire manufacturing towns within his own re-
membrance, when the mortality was terrible, with their
present condition, when, amongst other reforms, the
severity of preventible disease had abated. But during
this period the difficulties of the sanitary reformer had
exceeded any estimate which could be formed by the
mere spectator. Turning to the consideration of the
difficulties in practical work:ng aLd deficiencies in
legislation which still impede the work, he pointed out
that the first great and fatal hindrance is the political
position of the Health Minister. Those who desired
the efficient working of our laws dealing with poverty
and disease, should devote their fullest energies to a
reform which will place the Minister who deals with
these subjects on an equality with those who, being
entrusted with the most weighty responsibilities, en-
joy a dignity and occupy an acknowledged position
corresponding with their high functions. With regard
to schemes proposed for the better sanitary govern-
ment of the metropolis, we must, when in search for a
strong central and representative authority, not forget
the necessity for careful local administration. This
administration must be entrusted to some authority.
No wise and thoughtful reformer would lay violent
hands on the present authority—the vestries—the
members of which bring to their task an amount of
intelligence, industry, and public spirit little known
to those who in their indolence forget, and in their
ignorance condemn institutions, on the practical
working of which they do not condescend to bestow
the most insignificant fragment of their lives: Among
future reforms necessary was a more severe adminis-
tration of the laws respecting coatsmoke and the
registration of sickness; and it would have to be con-
sidered in future years how far the existing severe
pressure in many elementary schools and in the
higher education produces, or will hereafter produce,
mischievous effects on the well-being of the pupils.
In America considerable apprehension has been
entertained, especially in reference to the more
sensitive and delicate organisation of girls. Sewage,
water supply, river conservancy, and the pollution of
rivers (mein to be taken as one great whole, not as
separate and sometimes conflicting problems. The
construction of works for water supply in the case of
urban districts should be on a large scale, either by
combination between lesser communities, or by con-
tribution to them of water collected by towns of
greater size. The water supply should be constant.
' Underground sources of supply should be diligently
sought, and more freely made use of. As to sewage,
no single system is suitable for every district. The
time for repayment of loans should be EO calculated as
to give a wide margin, not only for the natural decay
of the works, but for the advance of science, which
may render them antiquated at an earlier period than
the beat men of the present day may deem possible.