18

Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties on the Western
Shore.

To this part of Maryland particular attention is desired, for
the reasons, that in addition to the general cause of the loss
of labor, viz. : that of the late civil war, there has been sup-
eradded here the total abstraction of most of it, and the great
derangement of that which remained, for it was in this part
of the State by very far the largest number of Negroes were
held at the time of the adoption of the Constitution by which
they were liberated; and from this part a very large propor-
tion of able bodied colored laborers were enlisted to fill the
quota of other States in the United States army. Here then
where the abstraction and derangement of labor was greatest,
the largest portion of land will be offered for sale, and infor-
mation the most minute and particular will be required.

THE HEALTH OF THIS SECTION.

As this is the first consideration for the immigrant, so it
will be the first on which information will be given. This
being of the first importance, I shall examine specially and
generally, and by both means of proof show it to be as heal-
thy as any section of the Union. The opinions, like many other
opinions, that it is unhealthy, is totally without foundation.
My opportunity for observation has been better, perhaps, than
that of any other individual, whilst my professional studies,
as they enable me to observe accurately, should give my opin-
ions some consideration. So far as my knowledge extends,
no part of our country is more healthy than this. There is no
better mode of judging of the health of a country than by the
physical appearance of its inhabitants. On this subject all
writers on the science of health (Hygiene,) agree on this gene-
ral rule, that the physical development of the inhabitants of a
country is the best criterion to judge of the health of that
country. The reasons of the truthfulness of this index are
perfectly in accordance with sound physiology. Muscular
development cannot take place, except when all the organs
of nutrition are capable of performing their functions in a
proper manner. This they cannot do, if exposed to the in-
fluences of causes which produce disease; if they do it not,
then the appetite will not take food—or if the appetite does,
it will not be converted into aliment. Hence, instead of the
full development of the osseous system, (the bones,) and mus-
cular system, they will be sparingly nourished, and attain
but little size. Travellers, and indeed all persons, speak in-
variably of the diminutive size of the inhabitants of unheal-
thy districts, and of the puny statute of the denizens of
closely built manufacturing towns, in comparison with the
large size of the inhabitants of mountainous countries. Ex-
perience and the laws of physiology, then, alike declare, that
the best test of the health of a country is, the physical deve-
lopment of its inhabitants.