Health > European conference on rural hygiene (June 29th-July 7th, 1931)

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Ergometric tests showed that peasants were physically weaker than town labourers, and
that the lack of labour-saving machinery was largely responsible for the physique of
agricultural workers being so seriously undermined.
After describing the other forms of tuberculosis prevalent among the peasant popu¬
lation surveyed, Dr. Chodzko suggested that further investigations on similar lines might
form a very valuable basis for the organisation of preventive measures among rural popu¬
lations. They could not be too grateful, he thought, to the State of Saxony for its initiative
in this direction — the founding at Pommeritz of the first Experimental Institute for the
Hygiene of Agricultural Labour, with the object of rationalising farming operations on a
hygienic basis. Schools of Hygiene, too, might help — e.g.y by initiating comparative ergo¬
metric studies of rural and urban populations and by investigating the problem of the
diet of peasants — what quantities and what qualities of their produce (milk, fats, meat,
bread) were kept for personal consumption. He proposed, therefore, that a Fourth Com¬
mittee be appointed composed of the directors or representatives of schools of hygiene
present at the Conference to give initial consideration to these suggestions prior to a
decision by the plenary meeting.
Before concluding, he wished to draw attention to two passages in the conclusions
of Mr. Stouman’s report (document C.H. 1052) :
“ (5) Young women in rural districts are in a particularly unfavourable position.
This is probably largely due to excessive physical work, the migration of servants
and, in some countries, inadequate maternity care.
“ The health of young women in rural districts is of particular importance,
since they, with their higher fertility, become the mothers of the greater part of the
nation.
“ (6) Tuberculosis generally causes a higher mortality amongst young women
in rural districts than in towns.”
It was an extraordinary situation, and he directed their attention to its graphic repre¬
sentation on the two maps prepared by the Health Section and hanging on the wall of
the Conference room. They would note that the birth rate all over Europe was steadily
decreasing ; women in the towns did not want, and country women were physically
unable, to bear children. It was peremptory therefore to make every effort to restore the
health of the countryside if the supply of human material for the towns was not to be
totally exhausted. M. Gunnar Jahn, of the Norwegian Central Statistics Office, quoted
on page 30 of Mr. Stouman’s report, indicated another peril to be combated when he
referred to the fact that “ servant girls from rural districts constitute one of the essential
elements in the propagation of tuberculosis ” — a fact fully confirmed by the Swiss
investigators, M. Gigon and M. Kiinzler.
Dr. Chodzko, in conclusion, reminded his hearers of the ideal type of country doctor
depicted by Balzac in his Medecin de Campagne, who held that “ I’avenir, c’est Vhomme
social, nous ne voyons plus rien au deld ”. The Conference, he felt, was an embodiment
of the public mind of Europe, which would, he hoped, speedily transform the face of
their continent to the supreme benefit of all concerned.
The President thought the Conference would be glad to adopt Dr. Chodzko’s
suggestion to set up another Committee to examine certain fundamental questions regard¬
ing the epidemiology of rural populations. A proposal would be submitted by the Bureau
at the afternoon meeting and he would be glad if subsequent speakers would give their
opinion on Dr. Chodzko’s suggestion.
Dr. Ferguson (Great Britain), speaking as the responsible health officer of a typical
English county, desired to comment briefly on Items 1 and 2 of the Conference agenda.