Hygiene and Sanitation (Gesundheitsbchlein)

The spreading of a more general culture, which forms the basis of professional perfection has the effect, that certain provinces of knowledge, which in former times were reserved to the professional man only are becoming the property of every educated man. This, broadening" of knowledge does not at all mean a restriction of science for the professional, Savants". On the contrary. They are enabled to follow the progress of science more closely by receiving a more careful training for their profession, and they can obtain better results with the help of a more educated public, when called upon to make a practical use of their professional knowledge or skill. This development took place in a very marked degree with regard to the science of Hygiene, public Hygiene as well as private sanitation. An epidemic disease, cholera for instance, can be fought more successfully when the public intelligently assist the authorites, than when it obstructs the work of the doctors, or when it threatens or even ill-treats them; as happened in some parts of Europe a few years ago. A private person can be restored to health much quicker, if the patient and those, who are near him follow intelligently the orders of the medical adviser and assist him with their knowledge of Hygiene, than if they do not understand the orders, or if they treat them with indifference.