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12
Air.—During the hot summer months organic matter rapidly
undergoes decomposition. The streets are also more or less covered
with a layer of dust. This dust is composed of all manner of refuse in
a state of active putrescence, one of the chief constituents being the
pulverized droppings of horses and cattle.
This dust is taken into the lungs of old and young, and settles on
all exposed food.
Insects.—During the summer months our living rooms are close and
warm, and the open windows admit large numbers of insects which have
often come direct from feeding on the filthiest of decayed and decaying
matter.
The legs and bodies of the insects are covered with small particles
of the filthy stuff, which they convey to our food.
(2) Premature Birth.—Our chief industry is to a great extent
responsible for the large number of premature births; the long hours
of standing at the wash tub has a tendency to induce premature confinement.
(3) Overlying.—Is gross carelessness. In Germany and other
Countries it is made a penal offence to have a young infant in bed with
its parents. A suitable cot can be made for a few pence out of an
orange box, or similar receptacle. It is a significant fact that nearly
all the deaths from overlying take place between Saturday and Sunday.
This is accounted for by the fact that the wife has to do her weekly
shopping on Saturday night, and goes to bed late and tired out with her
week's work.
(4) Improper Feeding.—Every parent on registering a birth is given full
instructions as to the quantity and suitable food to give a child brought
up by hand.
In this district the mothers are at work the greater part of the day
at the laundries, and the infants are left to the care of young girls or
ignorant persons with the most rudimentary knowledge of infant feeding.