Volume 1

Health lectures for the people.

Date:
1883-1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Health lectures for the people. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    18/896 page 4
    Now, not only have we duties to our own families, but we have duties to strangers also, and these duties can be performed not only by the rich, but also, to a very great extent, by the poor. It is possible by a very little carelessness, by what may seem very pardonable carelessness, to spread infectious disease. Now that carelessness is not pardonable. When you come to understand how these infectious diseases are spread, it will become your duty then, at considerable self-sacrifice, to take no part in so spreading these diseases. There are certain illnesses, such as scarlet fever and diphtheria, which are spread by means of milk. It is in- credible how slight a connection with a source of disease is necessary in order to render that milk thoroughly deadly poison. It may become your duty to sacrifice your wages rather than have any part whatever in meddling with that milk. You have all heard of the good Samaritan. He did not take care of either the mind or the soul of the sick man; he took care of the body. The poorest among you may have the opportunity of taking care of your neighbour's health. You will act as the good Samaritan acted if at any sacrifice of your own convenience you refrain from acts tending to spread infectious disease. The milk distributer who is exposed to infection must say to his master—I cannot any longer distribute this milk because I would be spreading disease, or you must see that I am thoroughly disinfected; other- wise I must for a time give up my employment. There is also the duty of being cheerfully obedient to all those laws which are passed with the object of preventing the spread of infection. Thus you should submit, and cheerfully submit, to inspection. We have a system of inspection already in Edinburgh, but I wish we had more of it. You should show a submission, and a cheerful submission, to having your children and yourselves properly vaccinated. Further, there is a duty calling upon you for active interference—the duty of making complaints regarding any nuisances that may exist in your district. Lastly, you have political duties connected with this subject—you should support by your votes those who take an active interest in sanitary matters. It may, however, be said, that we do not know anything at all
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