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17
Mothers' Health. — In 75 per cent. the health of the mother
was good; in 25 per cent. it was indifferent or bad. That the child
is likely to be influenced by the physical condition of the mother
will be readily understood, and the 626 children who had healthy
mothers are much more likely to have been endowed with good
health at birth and to have careful attention afterwards. The
health of the mother is commented upon further in connection
with Infant Deaths.
Condition of Tenement.—The percentages as to this, as
also with regard to the number of rooms occupied in each case
visited, are given in the table. These matters are referred to in
connection with the infant deaths' investigations.
A special note is made in the table with regard to the number
of first-born children visited, and the number of twins. Wherever
possible an attempt is made to investigate in all first-births, since,
as is natural, the inexperienced mother has most difficulties, and
if she can be put on the right lines at first, the succeeding children
are likely to benefit.
Because the nursing of twins is likely also to be attended with
difficulty, all twin births are also visited. The percentage of firstborn
babies to the total was 31, and of twin births, 5.5.