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3. Conservancy systems of disposal of excreta are very
commonly associated with excessive infant mortality.
4. The smallest incidence of disease, especially of
diarrhœal diseases, occurs usually in districts supplied with
water-closets.
5. In the history of several towns the conversion of a
conservancy into a water-carriage system has been associated
with a great reduction of mortality from diarrhœal diseases;
whilst in other towns the continuance of conservancy systems
has been associated with continued high diarrhœal mortality.
6. Unpaved yards and streets and inefficient scavenging
favour excessive infant mortality.
7. In towns where the general conditions are more satisfactory,
excessive infant mortality occurs in tenement and
other small dwellings, especially where water is distant to
fetch and remove, where cleanliness is consequently difficult,
and where food cannot be satisfactorily stored.
8. Such relationship between large families and high
infant mortality as is frequently found is in the main indirect,
large families being most common among the poorest, who
live under conditions unfavourable to child life.
9. Infant mortality is excessive among the poor; it s
low among well-to-do. So far as is known, this proposition
is chiefly applicable to those living under the usual conditions
of town life.
10. Poverty is a direct cause of infant mortality where
it induces malnutrition of mother or infant, or where it
implies that the mother cannot give adequate care to the
infant.
11. Poverty is also an important indirect cause of infant
mortality. Its influence is exercised in the following, among
other ways:—
(a) Poverty is not infrequently associated with ignorance
and carelessness.