2986

MAJORITY REPORT : RESERVATION.

12. Apart from emphasising the time-honoured truth that it
is better to prevent the existence of disease than to cure it
when it has emerged, we do not, however, think that the time
is appropriate even for an adumbration of the practical conclusions
 to which these considerations might lead. The problem,
which should not be impracticable of solution, is to devise a
method whereby society, while guaranteeing to every individual
the opportunity of a reasonably complete life, shall yet be able to
protect itself against the infusion of elements calculated to be a
source of weakness. So far from the conjoint attainment of these
two ends being impracticable, it may be suggested that the first
and more visionary is possible of achievement only on condition
that the second and less popular is in some measure realised.
We have ventured to submit these observations, not with the
object of making concrete suggestions, but rather in order to
discourage an easy and prevalent optimism which lightly overleaps
 the limits of the practical and attainable, and also in the
hope that those who are impressed by the inadequacy of our
national efforts on the health side may be led to seek for a deeper
cause and so prepare the way for a more fruitful discussion of
these matters.

(Sioned)

ANDREW R. DUNCAN.
ALEXANDER (GRAY.