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LABOUR AND CHILDHOOD

rapid; that the people may respond quickly to the new impulse to evolve new muscular power, since muscular power is wanted. Every one who visits Japan notes this great flexibility, a quickness and delicacy of response to the call of the hour. It reminds one of their own paper windows that reflect every shadow. Responsive and flexible, they sway now towards a new order of physical development, and that they are capable of this is shown by the great differences of stature found among even the children. And the impulse that has come is strong—as witness the rapid increase in the number of physicians, the demand for more trained doctors, the teaching of hygiene to girls, etc.

Thus East and West are rising at last to fight disease, and to deal with defects of every kind. It is impossible that the opening years of this new campaign should be cheerful. The facts that come to light seem to be most depressing just in those lands where the battle is keenest and most determined. Thus in Germany, though some causes of disease have been removed of late, yet the consciousness of the real scope of the evil is growing. It seems greater now than it did ten or even five years ago. The workers stand like people going through a home that has been ravaged by fire. They note again and again