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39
to this end, and consider that one-fourth of the accidents from all
causes at all ages are caused in a semi-industrial centre like
Willesden to suffocation of infants from overlaying in bed.
There needs an awakening of the public conscience upon the
enormity of this offence; there needs a drastic reform in the
education of women such as shall fit them for their primal, most
noble and most important function of child rearing.
INFANT LIFE INSURANCE AS A FACTOR IN
INFANTILE MORTALITY.
It has been alleged that infant life insurance has been a
malign factor in the causation of infant mortality. It may be
that in some localities this is the case; it is possible that in
Willesden, here and there, where maternal instinct and sense of
parental responsibility are utterly degraded, it may stimulate a
low cupidity so that it weighs in the balance against the welfare
of offspring.
But in the main I am convinced, as a result of my investigations,
that it is quite inoperative upon the chances of survival of
the infant.
On the whole it is the better cared for child of the working
classes that is insured. Its insurance is an expression of that
forethought, providence and care which are among the first virtues
of good citizenship. And I have found that the worst class of
parents do not as a rule insure their infants.
In respect of the primal conditions of healthy upbringing, the
uninsured infants compare unfavourably with the insured—not
that these factors stand in relation of cause and effect, but because
the uninsured babies are more frequently found among the
improvident and indigent classes.