Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 2.djvu/90

 ;6 THE AMERICA* JOl'RXAL OF SOCIOLOGY

Unquestionably the results as shown by the mortality records serve vcrv important* ends, as has been suggested, both in proving the practicability of preventing disease and in justifying and encouraging still further expenditures, labors and studies. And the question might reasonably be asked whether any worker in the interests of humanity might not well be content with such immediate and definite results and not seek a more remote and uncertain end. Is it not probable that he will eventually effect more for the welfare of mankind by keeping a concrete pur- pose, which time is proving to be feasible, definitely before him, rather than by groping blindly for other results, which may after all prove mere will-o'-the-wisps ? Happily sanitarians are begin- ning to say "no" in most emphatic terms. The prolongation of existence is not in itself an adequate aim for human endeavor. It is impossible to stifle the conviction that sanitary experts have the right to recognize openly the higher purpose which, con- sciously or otherwise, is constantly influencing their efforts. The extension of the duration of physical life is not a sufficient motive for those who, while using their knowledge and strength to improve the material conditions of life, are not satisfied with the notion of man as an animal, but are fired in their purpose with the conception of which Hamlet's words are the expression "What a piece of work is man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculties ! in form and moving how express and admira- ble ! in action how like an angel ! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world! the paragon of animals!"

The duty of the sanitarian is therefore acknowledged to be of greater scope as the years pass and the meaning of sanitary reform is proved not to be restricted to the physical life of man, but to affect all his activities as a human being. The interest of the sanitarian is now said to be in "whatever can cause or help to cause discomfort, pain, sickness, death, vice or crime, and whatever has a tendency to avert, destroy, or diminish such causes." We are told that preventable evils, such as loss of life, impairment of health, and physical disability, impose upon the people unnumbered and immeasurable calamities, pecuni-