56 ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION 



this hitherto sociological movement will become as 

 much a part of routine health work as the care of 

 communicable diseases, the prevention of nuisances, 

 and the inspection of plumbing. The results already 

 attained, where the work has been carried on as a 

 function of the local health authorities, have demon- 

 strated that the efforts of philanthropy have not been 

 thwarted, or checked, but, through co-operation with 

 an authority vested with powers of action, they have 

 accomplished much that was not formerly possible. 

 This is evidenced in better home environment and 

 hygienic methods of living amongst those coming 

 within the sphere of the work. 



It is regrettable that in things sanitary our Govern- 

 ments are not always wise enough to profit by the 

 mistakes of other countries. If the pioneer days are 

 over in agriculture it is not so in the matter of 4< the 

 homes and the babies," for, in many respects, we are 

 following along lines which in older countries have led 

 to death and physical impairment. As regards hous- 

 ing, we can .show conditions which would not be per- 

 mitted anywhere in the British Isles. Whatever good 

 is being accomplished and whatever public opinion has 

 been aroused, is due chiefly to philanthropic workers. 

 With us the evolution is gradual, for, in the rush to get 

 rich, but few of those sailing on the tide of prosperity 

 care little, and heed less, the wail of the suffering 

 infants. What are a few thousand Canadian babies 

 compared to thousands of good, lusty foreigners who 

 will dig and delve whilewe make the money? In all 

 seriousness I say it, there are slaves to-clay who work 

 harder and live in less sanitary environment than did 

 the coloured slave ; and there are white babies in 

 Canada who, through no fault of their own, have less 

 chance to survive the perils of home environment than 

 they would if born in other climes. This is due, 

 mainly, because health authorities have not been em- 

 powered to carry on their work inside the home. 



