Centenarians have increased by 159 percent since 1880 (in New Jersey it is 119 per cent., in Chicago 159 per cent., and in New Orleans 169 per cent.). Death from external cancer alone has increased 52 per cent, in ten years according to the Rittenhouse statistics. No one will really fear overpopulation if he knows much about the parallel history of fruit orchards. Higher and constantly higher grades of cultivation and attention are required every year in order to hold fast to what we already have among men and trees. Cities are great orchards in which man disturbs the balances of nature in the same way as he does when setting out peach orchards, — by giving all of the enemies of the peach opportunity to multiply under conditions of convenient and abundant food supply. An instance showing that nature fundamentally cares more for property than for man is given by our officials in Washington in connection with pure food laws, their decisions in cases of doubt (and in other cases) have been in favor of capital rather than in favor of the public health. Various 'cures' for alcoholism lead to fortunes on the part of the proprietors because these 'alcohol cures' contain alcohol sold at fancy prices. 'Coffee cures' contain coffee sold at a fancy price. 'Opium cures' contain opium sold at a fancy price. This gives example of the satanic advantage which is taken by people of an uncaptured criminal class who prey upon their fellow men, making fortunes for their reward.<Callout type="warning" title="Watch Out for False Cures">Be wary of any 'cure' that contains harmful substances sold at a premium price.</Callout> Dr. Stephen Smith brought the health board of New York into possession of powers which exceed those of any health board in the world. Dr. Hermann M. Biggs later put practical municipal sanitation upon a sound scientific basis. These things were not done by Dr. Smith and Dr. Biggs as politicians but as altruists who were recognized as such trustingly by the people.<Callout type="important" title="Altruism in Public Health">Public health initiatives should be driven by altruistic intentions, not political gain.</Callout> The death rate in rural New York has now become considerably higher than the rate in New York City and the health committee of the State Grange has recommended the establishment of a division of rural hygiene in the New York City Department of Health. When the Department of Agriculture was proposed twenty-five years ago precisely the same arguments were raised against it as are now raised against a Federal Department of Health, with this difference, that opposition did not come from powerful moneyed interests which were inimical to agriculture.<Callout type="risk" title="Political Opposition">Be prepared for political opposition when advocating for public health initiatives.</Callout> The Government was said to be taking up a subject that did not belong to it, and making an excuse for political expenditure, something of which people should not approve. At the present time the producers of our land realize the value of the vast machinery of usefulness which is conducted at Washington in the interests of agriculture.<Callout type="gear" title="Government Resources">Utilize government resources and initiatives aimed at public health and hygiene.</Callout> To-morrow the central government will give to children the degree of attention which it has already in the course of civilization directed toward pigs. We must always keep in mind, however, the fundamental fact that property is held instinctively to be more valuable than human life.
Key Takeaways
- Population growth and cancer rates have increased significantly over time.
- Public health initiatives should prioritize altruistic intentions rather than political gain.
- Be wary of false cures that contain harmful substances sold at a premium price.
Practical Tips
- Monitor local population trends and public health statistics to anticipate potential issues.
- Support and advocate for government programs aimed at improving public health and hygiene.
- Research and verify the safety and efficacy of any 'cure' before using it.
Warnings & Risks
- Be prepared for political opposition when advocating for public health initiatives.
- Watch out for false cures that contain harmful substances sold at a premium price.
Modern Application
While the historical context of this chapter focuses on early 20th-century public health challenges, many of the principles still apply today. Modern survival preparedness emphasizes vigilance in monitoring population trends and public health indicators, advocating for effective government policies, and being cautious about false cures or misleading information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What historical example does the chapter provide to show that nature cares more about property than human life?
The chapter provides an example of how U.S. officials in Washington have favored capital over public health when making decisions on pure food laws, even in cases of doubt.
Q: How did Dr. Stephen Smith and Dr. Hermann M. Biggs contribute to public health?
Dr. Stephen Smith brought the health board of New York into possession of unprecedented powers, while Dr. Hermann M. Biggs established practical municipal sanitation on a sound scientific basis.
Q: What does the chapter suggest about the relationship between government and public health initiatives?
The chapter suggests that public health initiatives should be driven by altruistic intentions rather than political gain, as evidenced by the work of Dr. Smith and Dr. Biggs.