55 



sectiou, how shalluw wells wero infected. The water from the wells is used 

 because it is clear. People prefer clear, sparkling water to muddy hydrant 

 water, although the sparkling water may be veritable poison. Where does 

 the blame for typhoid fever rest? 



Still retracing my steps, I came to the neglected street with its weeds 

 and with its corresponding class of people, going on to the heart of the city, 

 with its lack of trees and full of sickly people. Then I compared or con- 

 trasted the West End of town vs'ith the East End. The West End is the 

 home of working people, while the East P^nd is oeciipied mostly by trades- 

 men and the well-to-do. Now our prevalent winds, as already mentioned, 

 are from the west, and that means that the people in the AVest End get air 

 from the woods and fields, ^^•]]ile those in the East End get the smoke and 

 dust from the shops and from the heart of the city. This may explain why 

 the East End Wind has such an evil reputation, and why towns having tlie 

 "West End" iiroperly located are more desirable as places of residence. 

 These remarks will be better understood when we consider that people, like 

 herbaceous plan|;.'^, but unlike trees, are more or less constantly moving 

 about. Some plants come and go, they are seen one j'ear and then dis- 

 appear, perhaps to re-appear later; those finding the habitat favorable may 

 remain permanently. Common weeds find conditions favorable almost any- 

 where and flourish, especially in neglected places. Shall we say that human 

 weeds also thrive almost anywhere, and shall we say that people who are 

 well-to-do and able to move do move out if they find that the '"West End'' 

 has not been properly located? 



The subject may be considered a little further. Several years ago a 

 patient with whom I had often discussed things like the above told me about 

 meeting an old friend who had just returned from the Saskatchewan. The 

 man gave a glowing account of the large crops of wheat, and the large 

 potatoes, beets and turnips, all growing without weeds ; he told how healthy 

 the people were, they did not even have the common ailments ; he ascribed 

 it all to the "wonderful climate." Climate nothing! my friend exclaimed; 

 weeds and ills and diseases are absent because they have not as yet been 

 brought in. They will all come in time; just wait a few years. 



I might again refer to my old patient who had told me of early Indi- 

 ana conditions and the connng in of weeds and pests and parasites of all 

 kinds. He had also told me how healthy the first settlers were until 

 malaria came in; then ncnrlv ovcrvbody l)ocame sick. Life now assumed a 



