children with foster families, (etc.). But since all efforts
of this kind will probably not be able to do away altogether
with the need for residential homes for infants, it remains
a question of interest how far failures of the kind described
are inherent in the nature of such institutions as distinct
from family life, and how far they could be obviated if the
former were ready and able to change their methods.

Careful comparison of our own residential children with
children of the same ages who live with their own families
has taught us some interesting facts. Advantages and dis-
advantages vary to an astonishing degree according to the
periods of development.

Babies between birth and about five months of age, when
not breast-fed under either condition, develop better in our
nursery than in the average proletarian household. Their
gain in weight is more regular and intestinal disturbances
are less frequent; their skin, colouring and general appear-
ance are more satisfactory. In times of illness the absence
of the tension and anxiety which the young mother invari-
ably feels is certainly of advantage to the child. Mothers
who reared their first children in their own homes and now
have a third or fourth baby with us are usually full of
praise when they compare the progress of this "institutional"
child with their first "family" ones. The reasons are not
difficult to find: more carefully prepared food, with variation
in the food formulas whenever necessary; plenty of air in
outdoor life, whenever the weather permits; less economy in
laundry; skilled and regular handling and removal from
the disturbances of a proletarian household in restricted
quarters.

-12-