Page:The Effects of Civilisation on the People in European States.djvu/35

Rh another's cries; their wakefulness and restlessness, the effects of the disorder, increased by the vermin and hard beds, covered by filthy clothes; having nothing proper to use from the cellar, the kitchen, the garden, or apothecary's shop; no attendants but the poor mother, worn out by watchings, anxiety, &c.; the father from home, obliged to leave it to get their daily bread. That these things happen unavoidably in almost all cases, in poor families, all medical people must bear testimony; and also to the ill effects of them on the sufferers—I have said unavoidably, which is true; for, though single instances, by charitable assistance, may in some things be relieved, it is impossible that in general the poor can be better supplied; unless you alter the condition of the whole, by giving them good houses, containing more and better rooms; better furniture, better linen, better supplies—in short, making their condition nearer to the first described; that is, wholly altering the condition of that whole order of people.

It is remarkable, that poor living does not lessen the fertility of women, though it deprives them of the means of bringing up their children. Adam Smith says, that it is not uncommon, in the Highlands of Scotland, for a woman to bear twenty children, and not to rear one of them. He adds, that officers of great experience have assured him, that, so