The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-09
PHYSIQUE OF ENGLISHMEN.
60, eminent Ia Going to Find Out what
Changes Are Occurring.
From the Lon don Spectator .

The inquiry which tine Government ia
about TO address TO the chiefs OF the medical
profession as TO the physique of the English
people is not only unsuitable. but most wise.
Two immense changes are passing over our
population. and il Ia necessary to ascertain
in definite and, for the time. final way what
the effect OF those changes upon the health
Of the population really IN,
The people are rapidly quitting the country
for the towns. II is not merely that the
great cities are growing till-to take only one
instance II is becoming a serious difficulty
10 supply them with good water but the
minor towns are growing till in other countries
they would be accounted cities. Whereas,
said the Earl Of Meath. IN the Lords debate
Of Monday. in 1851 the urban population
OF England and Wales was s,a0O.OW, ont OF
total population of II 9@1 600 or 30 per cent.
in 1891 II was - O00 000 out OF a total popu-
lation Of " 0OO 900 or - per cent mat ls
British life and il involves by a sort of neces-
sty other changes the full effect OF which
IL Is n-cdfu Tor ii wise community to know;
Then there IL a second change WhiCh has
passed over the people. and which. for good
or evil, must. one would think, affect the
nat i0nal henlth W" have ordered every
hoy mud yrl during uinr wears OF the grow
ing time 10 70 TO school that Is. 10 ait unirt
for hours TO brnd over desks and TO use
their minds instead OF their hands and feet
That the effect upon the Intelligence OF the
new generation is on tn" whole most b"ue-
hCial We should b. the last 10 deny indeed,
We only wish TINT the period OF education
could he heightened nv two wears. but do
We know anything With certainty OF lis
effect upon health?
Many observers deClaI. that II Is not AT all
good. that ever when the schools are per
lec,ly ventilated the confinement II too great
and il la part the cause Of the n"urO'ic ten
,irncv, III, craving for momcht8ry excite
ui"nt. which. they say. marks the Younger
generation of the towns.
We certainly do not not 'CC that cfcCt or
that tendency among the children or the
w.Il-to-do. but then they leave home II little
later they are perfectly fed and they oh
tain when ont Of doors the equivalent Of
sound Hvmnantir raining. Al least. they
are as healthy little animals as could well be
wished for. with moreover, none OF the cares
which ~ that period begin to press upon
those who have To earn their living.
The effect OF sitting for six hours. the eject
of years of reading upon q race whose fore
IA. hers could not read and the effect OF
mental development upon the ll-fed are
all effects with a material and direct bearing
upon health and have been far too carelessly
they are wholly beneficial, and trust that
they will be most carefully examined, for
II the decision is that they are partly in
furious the remedy Ia in our own hands. II
Ia only at this period OF their lives that we
have full control OF the masses OF children
and II should be utilized to the utmost 20 pro-
mote the welfare Of their bodies as well AZ
OF their minds.