66 Hattie Plum Williams 
The large size of the families must have its effect upon infant 
and child mortality, not only by depriving the children of the 
necessary care, but often by weakening the mother, and indirectly 
the child, through overproduction. As a rule, however, to 
counteract these evils, two years intervene between births, and the 
period of child-bearing is extended over a longer time. It is 
common to find women past forty who have young babes, and 
some even past forty-five. Out of 75 Russian German women 
over forty years of age, 50 had children living who were born 
since the mothers had reached forty years; while doubtless some 
had borne children who are now deceased—a fact which the 
census did not show. Of these 75 women, 7 had given birth to 
children at forty-four; 3 at forty-five; 3 at forty-six; and one at 
forty-seven. This prolonged period of child-bearing means that 
often a woman is a grandmother before all her own children have 
come; and it means that her whole life, after marriage, is en- 
grossed with children and children’s children. 
Another factor indirectly increasing infant mortality, and child 
mortality as well, is the effect of the voyage to America. This 
would be felt especially in the three years, 1912-1914, on account 
of the heavy immigration of that period. Of the children of one 
year of age or under who died in 1912, six were born in Russia 
or on the way to America; in 1913, four under the age of one, 
and five between the ages of one and five; and in 1914, three 
under one, and two under five years of age. The figures do not 
tell the whole story, however, for not infrequently a Russian 
German mother buries her baby at sea or in some foreign land 
where the family was detained at an emigrant station. Not 
merely the effect of the hardships of the voyage upon the child 
itself, but the general conditions surrounding the family in its new 
environment in America would tend to make themselves felt in 
tures was provided for them, and meanwhile the office sent to Germany 
for copies of a standard book on obstetrical work. Each woman bought a 
copy, and lessons are now assigned which they study and discuss at their 
regular meetings. The sessions are faithfully attended, intelligent interest 
ad 
is shown, and the midwives without exception express their appreciation — 
of the help being given them. 
192 
