PHYSICAL DETERIORATION OF THE ENGLISH PEOPLE

Marlborough Express, Volume XVI, Issue 176, 30 July 1881, Page 2

PHYSICAL DETERIORATION OF THE ENGLISH PEOPLE-

Mr Horsfall ia a letter addressed to the "Manchester Guardian," arising out of a statement by Dr Beddoe and MrTuckett that "British heads are smaller than British heads used to be," points out the conditions under which the youth 301 the country are brought up m these days are s*ch as to favour the development of a stunted race. No playground, no public gymnasia, an enforced resor to tearly drinking and smoking are the factors at work, according to this authority, m the production of a general enfeblement, unknown m the free and robuster times of old. And there is as the " Lancet " points out, considerable truth m the argument. With ell our endeavours at improved sanition, there remains much to be dono m the way of physical cl'icatb i, and the gospel of a healthy bxly which shall be capable of all the demands made upon its need to be strenuously preached and acted upon m the interest of the nation. The mode of life of a great number of the urban population is the great evil of civilisation. Deprived of fresh air and healthy exercise, combined often with an inadequate supply of food, and a consequent resort to artificial stimulants such people are growing up under conditions which can only lead to one result— that of defective development. We sadly want hi this matter the exercise of that common sense which has usually been regarded as the peculiar feature of the British character, but which m some matters is kept wholly m the background, and never asserts itself.