Excerpt from The Human Body and Health: An Elementary Text-Book of Essential Anatomy, Applied Physiology, and Practical Hygiene for Schools
The most noted of England's prime ministers said, "The first duty of the statesman is the health of the people." One of our own statesmen asserts that the greatest asset of this nation is the health of its citizens. Inasmuch as recent science has shown clearly the cause and prevention of many diseases, it is important that this knowledge should form a part of every individual's equipment for the duties of life. The greatest enemies of the human race are microbes, which annually lay prostrate in this country and Europe seventy million people, of whom three million die. The microbes feeding on human blood have caused the destruction of armies and the downfall of a nation. On this account a knowledge of these infinitely small forms of life is of vast importance.
Since the foundation of many diseases is laid during childhood, and since new ideas are accepted most readily in youth, every boy and girl during school years should be carefully and thoroughly instructed as to the cause of human wretchedness and the means of preventing it. The numerous textbooks on elementary physiology have largely neglected the discussion of facts relating to public health. As a result not one in a hundred graduates of our public schools could state any evidence showing whether vaccination is beneficial or harmful, or describe how malaria, diphtheria, and yellow fever are acquired, and how they may be prevented.
The pupils have spent much time in learning meaningless words, but when information is sought concerning the evidence that typhoid fever is caused by drinking polluted water they remain silent.
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