ABSTRACT
Many contemporary authorities could also be quoted who voiced the opinion that conditions in England of the "industrial revolution" compared favourably, not only with those then prevailing in more backward countries, but with those that had prevailed in earlier periods at home. Improvements in health conditions, as a rule, have begun with the rich and have spread gradually to poorer and poorer sections of the population. In some matters of health a modern slum dweller is better off than a 17th century prince. In the 18th century fairly reasonable health conditions became available for the well-to-do and for the higher ranks of the workers and, in some directions, there was amelioration even for the very poor. In comparing the early 19th century with previous periods it has also to be remembered that it was during this period that the mass of the people first became in some degree articulate.
