HYGIENE AND SANITATION

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 121, 26 May 1925, Page 5

HYGIENE AND SANITATION

WORKERS' EDUCATIONAL

ASSOCIATION.

The first lecture in the course of instruction in Hygiene and Sanitary Science under the auspices of tho Workers' Educational Association was given by Dr. Mercer in the Trades. H-i". 1 las 6 evening. Dr. Mercer dealt -•*":.-<; the principles of hygiene, and Viewed how from earliest times there had fcssn amongst civilised people some ph?ss ©f sanitation. 'He traced, from n«««»!r. laws through the Roman period *-^j middle ages, the history of sanjlf.!v efforts, and showed how the "En» it Humanity" arising in the eightejintti century was.tbo beginning-of the knowledge of sanitation practised "to-iiay. Touching on the history of th« industrial movement in England and the advent of the rural population into the big industrial towns, Dr. Mercer gave evidence of the appalling. condition* existing at that time—the lack of sanitation and the employment of child labour. He referred to. the early, factory Acts, the Reform Act of 1832, and the appointment of. commissioners, with the difficulties of securing successful legislation. He described Edwin Chadwick as the great hero of the sanitary movement and idea, and gave a brief history of his life and good works. The lecturer described how Ihe Public Health Act of 1878 was the Magna Chayta. of public health administration for the civilised world and how England had been in the van in all lines of health work.

The lecture was much appreciated. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. M. Hyland, the secretary, for his services in securing the formation of the class for the course of lectures.