57 
The. mortality was largely in the first year, and in towns like 
Burnley epidemic diarrhoea and chest troubles were largely 
responsible. In many of the houses it was impossible, how- 
ever intelligent and willing the mother might be, to nurse a 
child with those ailments with any prospect of success. 
Authorities were now providing a recognised children’s hos- 
pital treatment of the children whose homes were not satis- 
factory. 
Dr. Clegg mentioned that there was also a big gap between 
the age of thirteen and sixteen, and asked what was to become 
of the two million young people going to waste. There was 
nothing arranged for dealing with them. But, on the other 
hand, there was nothing to prevent any local authority 
keeping in touch with them. With our lessening birth-rate 
and heavy infantile mortality, and the unfortunate wastage 
which went on during adolescence, we were going to be faced 
with some very serious problems. 

