Maxims of Public Health
by O. W. Wight
D. Appleton and Company, 1884, New York

CONDITION:
This book is in good condition. Hardcover. The boards are lightly worn along edges and corners with some shelf wear. Hinges tight. Binding sturdy. Text block is crisp and clean. Decorative end papers. Pencil marking on front flyleaf.

ATTRIBUTES:
Hardcover. No dust jacket. Bound in cloth over boards. This is an antiquarian book that has had a long and illustrious journey through time. Please take a look at the pictures to ascertain the condition of this item.

DESCRIPTION:
This book, "Maxims of Public Health" by O. W. Wight, delves into the critical subject of public health during the late 19th century. It aims to provide general notions about public health to a broad audience, including laymen and householders, rather than exclusively to sanitarians or medical professionals. The book's content likely reflects the prevailing understanding and concerns surrounding public health in the 1880s, a period marked by significant advancements and growing awareness of sanitation and disease prevention.

The author, O. W. Wight, wrote for the general public, suggesting a focus on accessible language and practical advice for improving health and hygiene. While biographical details about this specific O. W. Wight are not readily available in the provided context, the existence of such a book indicates his involvement and interest in public health discourse during this era. It's important to distinguish him from other notable figures with similar names, such as James Alfred Wight (known as James Herriot), a British veterinary surgeon and author, or Overton Vertis Wright (O. V. Wright), an American singer.

"Maxims of Public Health" holds historical significance as a document from a transformative period in public health. The 19th century saw rapid urban growth, leading to poor living conditions and the easy spread of diseases like cholera and tuberculosis, which spurred movements for sanitary reform and the establishment of public health institutions. Books like this contributed to educating the public and shaping understanding of health matters, which was crucial for the gradual improvement of public health through legislation and community efforts. Collectors interested in the history of medicine, public health, or 19th-century social reforms would find this book valuable for its insight into the era's approach to health and well-being.

FLASHBACK TO 1884 WHEN THIS BOOK WAS PUBLISHED:
When this book was published in 1884, the scramble for Africa was intensifying with the Berlin Conference imminent, Grover Cleveland was elected U.S. President, and Mark Twain's *Adventures of Huckleberry Finn* was just months from its American release. While the world mourned the death of poet Victor Hugo and celebrated the birth of future president Harry S. Truman, New York was abuzz with the construction of its first skyscraper and the ongoing debate over the Statue of Liberty's pedestal. This was a year of burgeoning global empires, rapid technological advancement, and a distinctly American cultural awakening, all unfolding as O. W. Wight, a respected literary figure, contributed to the intellectual landscape.

Page Count: 176

Location: ABS-1-3-019