e warmth, and would readily take cold in case of irregularity of the
temperature; a draught is distasteful to them, the general enervation
which gradually takes possession of all the physical functions diminishes
the animal warmth: this must be replaced from without, and nothing is
therefore more agreeable to the operative than to have all the doors and
windows closed, and to stay in his warm factory-air. Then comes the
sudden change of temperature on going out into the cold and wet or frosty
atmosphere, without the means of protection from the rain, or of changing
wet clothing for dry, a circumstance which perpetually produces colds.
And when one reflects that, with all this, not one single muscle of the
body is really exercised, really called into activity, except perhaps
those of the legs; that nothing whatsoever counteracts the enervating,
relaxing tendency of all these conditions; that every influence is
wanting which might give the muscles strength, the fibres elasticity and
consistency; that from youth up, the operative is deprived of all fresh
air recreation, it is impossible to wonder at the almost unanimous
testimony of the physicians in the Factories' Report, that they find a
great lack of ability to resist disease, a general depression in vital
activity, a constant relaxation of the mental and physical powers. Let
us hear Sir D. Barry first: {156}

"The unfavourable influences of mill-work upon the hands are the
following: (1) The inevitable necessity of forcing their mental and
bodily effort to keep pace with a machine moved by a uniform and
unceasing motive power. (2) Continuance in an upright position during
unnaturally long and quickly recurring periods. (3) Loss of sleep in
consequence of too long working-hours, pain in the legs, and general
physical derangement. To these are often added low, crowded, dusty,
or damp workrooms, impure air, a high temperature, and constant
perspiration. Hence the boys especially very soon and with but few
exceptions, lose the rosy freshness of childhood, and become paler and
thinner than other boys. Even the hand-weaver's bound boy, who sits
before his loom with his bare feet resting upon the clay-floor,
retains a fresher appearance, because he occasionally goes into the
fresh air for a time. But the mill child has not a moment free except
for meals, and never goes into the fresh air except on its way to
them. All ad