The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-24
So Says an. Eminent Medical
Authority.
CHILDREN The SUFFERERS
Boys Found to Be Under Weight in the
English Factory Towns-Girls Are
Boodless and Far Below STAN
dard-Serlous Condition.
BY Paul Lambeth.
Especial Cable to The Times.)

Copyright. 1902, by w. r. Hearst)
LONDON, Aug. 22-Thirty per cent
Of the population of Great Britain is un-
derfed
Such is the declaration of Sir J.. Crich-
ton Browne NJ D.. president of the
Medical Section of the International
Congress for the Welfare and Protection
OF Children, lately held IN London.
The conquest Of South Africa is COM
plete. tie empire Is in a state Of peace
the King has recovered from q danger
Gus illness and has been crowned and
| may reasonably look forward to long
reign. Now, what about the many
thousands of young Brltons right here
in Edwards Imperial city. who, for lack
of food. may never reach healthy and
robust matufity?"
l am quoting the sentiments OF philan-
thropio workers In the slums. and in the
factory districts. But Sir Crichton
Brownies statement has broader ap-
plication. He finds that even in the ru-
TAI districts the food habits Of the
masses are calculated to prevent boys
growing up into useful material where
with to fight and conquer Great Britain's
enemies in war.
My observation leads me to believe
says the distinguished medical authority,
that the masses are improperly fed as
well as underfed. For example, in rural
districts in Scotland where milk was to
be had in plenty it is now scarce 1t Is
sent off to the city to be sold. The chill
dren are fed on bread and tea and cheap
jams, and even oatmeal has passed into
the background as staple article of
diet.
when we turn to the townsfolk we
see in the anaemic faces the lack OF
sound teeth, and the stunning OF bodies,
evidence of deteripration due to misuse
Of food"
In the factory town of Dundee boys
between the ages Of eleven and twelve
years were found to average ten pounds
under weight and nearly four inches
under height Girls were found to tall
below the standard also
The publication Of these figures and
others statistics on the subject has at
tracted much attention throughout Eng
I'D Nothing can cause. greater con-
sternaticn In the average Hr1ton ma. .a
ii zsS5zofivlcti on that his race is deter1ora-
tin. The matter is likely to be brought
up in Parliament.
Along English country ROADS the elle:'
of the French automobile tragedy In whlch
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fair lost their iiVes,
is already apparent. Inc average speeo
of these machines has been much re-
duced-indeed there is very little reckless
ness scorching Not nearly so many ma
chimes have been used on the roads IN
the last few days, and several owners are
reported to have given up the sport al
together.
AS intimated a week ago, the King
illness has had the effect of Christening
his spirit, and he no longer Is devil
may-care sovereign. his illness has
had another affect-he has lost about
thirty pounds of fat. His Majesty is a
very fat man still. so he will not miss
the flesh.
His Majesty is very vain of his per-
sonal appearance. and the artist that
dares depict him as he really is incurs the
royal displeasure. Melton Prior the war
rrespondent-artist, sketched the King
the other day on the royal yacht at
Cowes. and Mr.. Prior. being wise man,
produced a sketch Of E>-ward VII. that
ought to have pleased him, for 1t showed
Eng,and's sovereign to be apparently
! young man of forty, with a slim, elegant.
graceful figure and an extremely hand
some face.
The King will. hereafter, it Is believed,
take less interest in sports and more IN
the soberer things of life. So perhaps
his Iperilors Illness will not have beca
such bad thing for him after all.
II s-erd K-nljng was in Fleet Street
tn, lay. The great writer mado
| his 49, tt--,l-, the crowds lat for
| cv4- st:.e harrow sidewalks of this
,.sS--,5, .l,o,.o,,5rhfa wholly nm