72 PROBLEMS OF VILLAGE LIFE 



sanitation and the use of polluted water in 

 surface wells typhoid is prevalent. Lunacy 

 is increasing markedly among the rural 

 population in some parts of the country. 

 This is no doubt partly owing to the fact 

 that emigration tends to eliminate the more 

 vigorous in mind and body and leave behind 

 the less healthy and efficient. 



The trite belief in the healthiness of our 

 village children is equally contradicted by 

 experience. Statistics furnished by official 

 enquiries in certain counties reveal the 

 startling fact that from 60-70 per cent, of 

 the children are more or less unfit, and 

 the chief cause of their defective condition 

 is admittedly malnutrition. Mr. Seebohm 

 Rowntree's careful estimate of the minimum 

 requirements for the physical efficiency of a 

 family cannot be lightly brushed aside by the 

 idle chatter of well-to-do persons about 

 " chubby, well-dressed boys and girls." 



Even of such cottages as exist in too many 

 cases uncomfortable and insanitary we do 

 not possess nearly enough for the needs of our 

 rural population. Old cottages decay until 

 they are abandoned, no more are built to take 

 their place, and so in many parishes there is a 

 positive dearth of dwelling-houses. Young 

 men and women who would like to marry and 



