The million-peopled city
Garwood, John
1853
Medical Testimony as to the Injury of Labour so hard on the Constitution of the Men.
The following is the testimony of ., M.D., 31, Great , the Medical Officer of the " as given in - | |
" I have always had a great sympathy with the hardships of omnibus-drivers and conductors, the greater part of whom are honest, civil, and obliging-a sympathy which every benevolent person cannot fail to feel, from simply observing and reflecting upon the unremitting nature of their toil, and their exposure to weather of every kind. | |
"But when, from my experience as a medical man, I know that nearly all of them, though young, are shattered in constitution-that, while yet young, they are subject to debility, acute rheumatism, and bronchial affections of so severe a nature, that they are most difficult to remove, from the men's remaining under the operation of the same causes which originally produced their complaints, and which in many cases terminate in consumption,-my sym- pathy is increased. Much more is this the case when I reflect that these diseases arise entirely from the nature of their occupation, their long hours (from 7 or 8 in the morning often till past midnight), not excluding the Sunday; from the few brief moments they have, in which to take their necessary food, affording no relaxation to body or mind; and lastly, from their exposure to the variations of heat, cold, and moisture in the atmosphere. When I consider the importance of the service rendered by these over-worked servants to the public, and the conveyance of | |
222 | persons and property, a mode of conveyance which has become an integral part of our social system, I greatly rejoice that the ' ' has received so much of the public support. I have undertaken the important office of Consulting Medical Officer to this Institution; and I shall be most happy to carry out any suggestions I may receive for promoting the welfare of these hardworking useful men." |