178 LABRADOR 
as to the dangers of infectious diseases, and especially 
how to deal with and avoid tuberculosis. Consumption 
is the main enemy of these people who live here in one 
of the purest atmospheres in the world. But it is fostered 
and propagated in every possible way by the customs of 
the people and by their poverty. The total number of 
residents 1s now about four thousand, inclusive of thirteen 
hundred Eskimo. In spite of new mills and other new 
industries recently introduced, the number is not increas- 
ing. This is due partly to the fact that some return to 
Newfoundland to benefit by the schools and other ad- 
vantages, or to escape starvation or the isolation that 
arises from no line of communication in the winter. Those 
residents, who make this journey, invariably tell me they 
would greatly prefer to remain on the coast in winter if 
it were possible. 
The lack of increase is partly due, also, to the want of 
care of the young. I have no statistics to show the rela- 
tive mortality in childhood. I know it to be great. The 
families are comparatively large. I call to mind one of 
thirteen, one of fourteen, and several of seven and eight. 
Most men marry young. Bachelors are very few on the 
coast. A knowledge of the cheaper food-stuffs and how 
to use them would be a great help. Thus, corn meal, 
oatmeal, and rice are seldom used. The average age 
attained is certainly low. The older English and Scotch 
settlers live and maintain their vitality much longer than 
those of the succeeding generations. They also hold their 
own much better in the battle with their environment. 
One man proudly told me, “ Father is eighty-two and hasn’t 
a kink in him.” 
