74

SEX IN INDUSTRY.

sequences ; and there is no doubt but that atmospheric influences have a preponderating effect on many occupations: they germinate and ripen the seed which labor has sown."

Judge Cowley bears testimony that “the special diseases incident to factory life are lung diseases and ‘ female debility.’ ”

Dr. H. Browne of Manchester, Eng., states that “ diseases of the digestive and respiratory mucous membranes are not quite twice as frequent in the factory-workers who attend the infirmary as out-patients, as in the remaining out-patients of all classes and both sexes.”

The Massachusetts State Board of Health has undertaken an inquiry into the mortality of factory-operatives within their jurisdiction. An analysis of the replies received by this board* to its queries establishes the fact that the employes of cotton-factories suffer a disproportionate death-rate. The registra-

* Second Annual Beport Massachusetts State Board of Health, p. 411.