H. M. Eichholz, Inspector of Schools. Paper before Conference
of Women Workers, London, 1904._

We know now that if we do the things we ought to do, we can
prevent sickness. We have reached a point where it is
recognized that it is the duty of the community or state to
effectually protect itself against the ignorant, the
selfish, the filthy, and the diseased. We believe now that
we must have proper sewage disposal, pure water, decent
tenements, clean streets, good-sized playgrounds,
supervision of factories, protection of child labor, and
pure food.

_Eugene H. Porter, Report, 1909, New York State Department
of Health._

Next after himself, man owes it to his neighbor to be well,
and to avoid disease in order that he may impose no burden
upon that neighbor.

_Dr. William T. Sedgwick, The Call to Public Health._

CHAPTER III

HOPE

The real significance of biological evolution has not been grasped by
the people in general. It is that man is a part of organic nature,
subject to laws of development and growth, laws which he cannot break
with impunity. It is his business to study the forces of Nature and to
conquer his environment by submitting to the inevitable. Only then
will man gain control of the conditions which affect his own
well-being.

Sickness, we know, is the result of breaking some law of universal
nature. What that law may be, investigators in scores of laboratories
are endeavoring to determine. In most diseases they have been
successful. Those remaining are being attacked on all sides, and it
may be confidently predicted that a few years will see success
assured.

Why, then, does sickness continue to be the greatest drain upon
individual and national resources? Because man, through ignorance or
unbelief, will not avail himself of this knowledge, or is behind the
times in his method. Where wisdom means effort and discomfort, many
feel it folly to be wise.

The individual may be wise as to his own needs, but powerless by
himself to secure the satisfaction of them. Certain concessions to
others' needs are always made in family life. The community is only a
larger family group, and social consciousness must in time take into
account social welfare. Moreover, a neighbor may pollute the water
supply, foul the air, and adulterate the food. This is the penalty
paid for living in groups. Men band together, there