heart, and of making their warnings, their instructions, and their consolations effectual; that the easiest and most permanent impressions are those made before the body and the mind become degraded in filth, stupefied by disease, or hardened and seared in guilt. In their personal intercourse and in their preaching, they should diffuse sanitary information, and urge the importance of sanitary measures. A weighty responsibility rests upon such men, and it becomes them to feel it, and to make themselves perfect masters of the subject, that they may use the information wisely and usefully in helping forward one of the greatest reforms of the age.

3. It appeals to Educated men of all classes. As a matter of intense interest, as a matter requiring profound investigation, as a matter of useful science, few subjects can be presented to an intelligent mind which promises more satisfactory results than the sanitary movement. For these objects alone it is worthy of being studied. But when it is viewed, in its personal and social relations to man and mind, it, in many respects, transcends all other matters. To those, who, by education, are qualified for the labor, few objects present a greater or more extended field of usefulness. Educated men and educated women too, who make themselves masters of sanitary science, may, by their pens, by their oratory, and by their personal influence, do an amount of good of which few or any of us have as yet an adequate conception. Such labors, judiciously conducted, would exert a mighty influence on the hapness of the race and its unborn millions. On such persons also rests a great responsibility. "1 would beg you to consider," says Dr. Simon, "the incalculable good which may be conferred on the poorer classes of society by the direct educational influence of those in better and more enlightened circumstances. When I say that the social sanitary errors, to which I have particularly referred, would gradually but swiftly vanish under the influence of education, I do not mean that the cure would be in learning to read and to write, though these attainments, of course, would largely increase the present usefulness and market value of their possessor. The education to which I refer, as an all-important influence for sanitary progress, is

that which would consist in exhibiting to the lowest classes of society frequent practical evidences of the attainability and of the advantages of higher civilization; an education which, by models and examples, would lead them to know cleanliness from dirt, decency from grossness, human propriety from brutish self-abandonment; an education which, by sensible experience, would teach them to feel the comfort and the profit of sanitary observances, and would apply their instinct of selfpreservation to the deliberate avoidance of disease." Lord Morpeth uttered this noble language in an address to his constituents, while the bill for promoting the public health was pending in parliament:-"Let my countrymen condemn me as they may, only do not let them hold me; do not let them hold the new parliament; do not let them hold themselves absolved, if they do not, either in their places as members of parliament, or as constituents keeping their representatives to their duty, insist upon early and efficient legislation on this subject.""No one's conscience, be they ministers of state, be they members of parliament, be they members of corporations, or be they citizens of any class, ought to hold themselves harmless, if in time coming they offer any obstruction, or suffer any obstruction to be offered, to the immediate adoption of sanitary reform." 1

4. It appeals to the Wealthy and Philanthropic. The munificent charities of the people of Massachusetts are well known. Many a one has given living or testamentary evidence that there runs through our society a strong current of social sympathy, and a willingness and even a desire to dispose of portions of the wealth, which has been bestowed upon us, for the relief and elevation of suffering humanity. Among the different objects which present themselves for these noble sympathies, we solicit for the sanitary movement a careful examination. In our judgment no object is of more paramount interest and importance. Money used in collecting and diffusing sanitary information; in the establishment and maintenance of institutions designed to prevent sanitary evils; and in the various modes of operation which may be devised and carried

1 Journal of Public Health, Vol. I, p. 23.

forward by energetic and wise men, would prevent an amount of evil, and would accomplish an amount of good, promised by few or no other means.

5. It appeals to the People. This measure is, unlike many others, limited in its design and local or partial in its application. It reaches, and is intended to reach, every person in every part of the State. If adopted and properly carried into operation it will be universally felt,-by the professional man, the artizan and the laborer, by the rich and the poor; and the general salutary effects will be gradual but perceptible and great, upon the collective interests of the whole State, and upon the social and personal interests of each individual. Every man in every station has a direct interest in its success; and every one should do all in his power to establish and make it successful. Every one should, as far as possible, endeavor to understand the character and design of the measure, and should commend its principles to others; he should unite in forming local sanitary associations; and in obtaining the passage of wise sanitary laws and regulations, and he should assist the public authorities in carrying them into operation. Every person should endeavor to reform whatever sanitary evils may exist in his own person and habits, and those of his family and neighborhood. And by these means the sanitary movement will be accelerated, and sooner accomplish the high and noble purposes for which it is destined.

The sanitary reform we advocate is not like some of the popular reforms of the age. It rests upon no visionary theories, conceived alone in the closet, or by some impracticable enthusiast. It aims at the establishment of no abstract principle, with no definite, practical bearing or application. It is not radical in its character or tendency; does not seek to overturn nor upturn any social, political or religious sentiment or institution; nor abrogate any constitutional or statute law. It interferes with no man's rights,-pecuniary, social, political or religious. But it takes things as they are; looks upon man as it finds him; allows him to enjoy the institutions with which he is favored; and gives him the means of living longer, and of enjoying more while he does live. There is in this no tran

scendentalism, or other ism or ology, to which any reasonable objection can be made; though it transcends, in its simplicity, in its practical utility, and its substantial, everyday, universal benefits, all other reforms. Every person, in every station, can do something to promote this reform; and every such effort, wisely directed, will increase the amount of his own individual enjoyment, and add to the aggregate enjoyment of the people of the whole Commonwealth.

6. It appeals to the Periodical Press. In this country almost every adult reads. Indulgence in the luxury of a newspaper is a universal characteristic of our people; and by the power of steam the press is able to furnish this luxury in an unprecedented manner and in any desirable quantity. We have watched with admiration, but not without fear, the growth and influence of the mighty power of the free periodical press. It educates, sways, shapes, and carries backward or forward, many an individual, and often the public, too, in a career of infamy or in a career of glory. It assumes an immense responsibility; and every press should feel it, and wield its influence for good and not for evil.

We have stated (p. 46) that the periodical press generally, in England, has been in favor of sanitary reform. The "Times," the "Morning Chronicle," the "Daily News," the leading papers of Great Britain, and the exponents and guides of public opinion in their respective spheres, and the other less prominent publications of the daily press, as well as periodicals of a different class, have advocated the cause with a talent, discretion and perseverance, which reflect upon them the highest honor. The combined influence of the excellence of the cause, and of the force of public opinion, has silenced all opposition; and sanitary reform has now taken its place among the most prominent subjects of interest among all classes of people throughout the kingdom.

The subject appeals to the periodical press in this country to imitate so noble an example. It is a subject bounded by no sectional interests and no party lines, but is of universal concern and of unbounded application; and one in which every press, of any character, may safely and properly embark. Every

one that aids in its promotion advocates a measure which certainly can do no harm, and may,—judging from all past experience, do immeasurable good; and every one that opposes it, or throws obstacles in the way of its advancement, lends its aid, not only to defeat a harmless measure, but one designed to promote the progress and elevation of society and the best interests and well being of the human race. It will be an earnest of success if the periodical press shall zealously engage in this enterprise, as it will certainly find it for its interest to do, and support and defend the sanitary movement with the same talent and energy that is devoted to matters considered of the highest importance. Editors will then have discharged some what of the responsibility which devolves upon them as guides of public opinion and well wishers to humanity.

7. It appeals to Towns and Cities. On the municipal authorities of towns and cities, depends the immediate execution of all sanitary laws and regulations. They are required to perform an important duty. Thorough knowledge of the condition of the people, and wise adaptation and administration of sanitary measures, will benefit and bless them. But blunder

ing ignorance, or inconsiderate measures, or unwise administration, will not do it. Life, health, physical happiness, and even the moral condition of a town, may depend, in some degree, upon the adoption or rejection of proper sanitary regulations. An immense responsibility then rests upon these local authorities. And this impression should abide upon them, and they should be led to act accordingly. If they do not it will be known. Cholera in one district slays its thousands or its tens of thousands, and yet in another cannot find a single victim; and the cause of this difference is attributable to certain sanitary conditions present in one case,-absent in the other. Cholera, typhus, consumption, and other diseases, are "health inspectors, that speak in language which none can misunderstand; they visit persons on polluted rivers, the neglected lunatic in his cell, the crowded workshop, the establishments for pauper children, the sides of stagnant sewers, the undrained city, the uncleaned street, the cellar and the attic, as well as the fair open quarters which strangers frequent and admire.