Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 10.djvu/705

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REVIEWS 689

It seems strange that the subject of bridges should receive special treatment in an article over twenty-five pages in length. It should surely have been incorporated into one of the other divisions as, indeed, architecture would more properly have been included in the discussion of municipal art. There is, however, a well-defined plan which is followed, and, aside from the criticism just suggested, the subject is well treated.

Cleanliness, drainage, removal of waste, supply of pure water, etc., form the basis of public health promotion, according to Pro- fessor Nowack. He lays stress upon cleanliness, not only of the per- son, but of the clothing, the dwelling, foods, etc. He shows that the emphasis laid upon hygienic measures by the municipal authorities has served to reduce the death-rate of cities below that of the country. He implies that the next step in furthering the health of the cities is to promote hygienic measures in the country. By thus working for the general public health all concerned will be benefited, because the unsanitary district, whether in the city or in the country, is a possible source of danger for all who come to it or who use its products.

A separate section is devoted to a paper on the sanitary police, by Dr. Flinzer. This department has charge of the promotion and main- tenance of sanitary conditions, and the prevention and removal of anything producing unhealthful conditions. The water supply, for example, is in their hands. They have charge of sewerage, the removal of offal, and the like. Smoke prevention is also a part of the work of the sanitary police, as are street-cleaning, garbage collection, inspection of dwellings, care of contagious diseases, inspection of foods including milk, meat, fish and other measures for promot- ing the public health.

A study of hospitals, most praiseworthy for its carefulness and thoroughness, is given by Dr. Schmaltz.

Herr Lingner presents a monograph upon the special exhibit which was prepared under his direction : " Volkskrankheiten und ihre Bekampfung." The exhibit was of an essentially popular nature, rather than of municipal or technical interest. The result aimed at was the education of the common people regarding the most prevalent diseases as an aid to hygienic and sanitary progress.

The " Samariter " who have voluntary associations for rendering aid to the injured also had a special exhibit, and Dr. Menzel has a paper devoted to a study of their organization and methods of work.

The important position of education as a basis for all advance,