Science and Physical Development 



two-roomed tenements, and (3) there is a strong 

 presumption that it is also connected with the 

 employment of mothers. 



Two reforms requiring the sanction of Par- 

 liament are recommended : (i) to compel the 

 registration of still - births ; (2) to compel the 

 production of a medical certificate in every case 

 of registration of a death. If these things were 

 done many irregularities would come to light, and 

 the figures as to infant mortality could be made 

 complete. 



Some increased stringency seems advisable in 

 the law forbidding the employment of women 

 within four weeks after childbirth. The factory 

 owner is only responsible if he knows the law is 

 broken, and as a result evasions are frequent 

 and prosecutions impossible. It appears to be at 

 present undesirable, even if it were possible, to 

 forbid the employment of mothers in factories. 

 Public opinion in Lancashire and the Potteries 

 would be overwhelmingly opposed to such a 

 change, and it is distressing to note that among 

 the women there is a " general preference for fac- 

 tory over domestic life." How many forces seem 

 to combine to break up English home-life ! 



Part of the infant mortality is said to be "due 

 to the fact that infants are nowadays seldom fed 

 from the breast." Dr. Hutchison says this is 

 common to all highly -civilised people, save the 

 Jews. No doubt the infants suffer greatly from 

 the loss of their natural food, but it is easier to 

 deplore the fact than to suggest a remedy. 



