Digest of Seventy Five Illustrative Cases

In

the three years after his apparently complete recovery from the surgical operation the family managed to exist with only occasional relief. The mixed marriage and the husband's physical affliction made the securing of any em ployment a matter of the greatest difficulty, in spite of the health inspector's assurance that he was not a source of very great danger and that the thing for him to do was to get a job. Two more children were born. Throughout these three years at least one member of the family was always an .inmate of a public hospital, and for a con siderable part of the time two were under care at the same time. The man has more than the average intelligence, is a skilled typewriter, and has not shown reluctance to un dertake any employment offered to him. For nearly two years at the date of the present writing he has supported himself from a news-stand and in similar ways, asking for a loan only to establish himself, and, after reverses, to reestablish himself in a good location.

Although leprosy and the marriage of white with negro are not common, they are only, at the worst, instances of complications that are by no means uncommon. Marriages of mixed nationality, of mixed religion, of mixed social ori gin, of extreme differences in age, or of extreme differences of temperament, are constantly appearing to increase the difficulties of the charitable agencies, and to complicate what might otherwise be comparatively simple tasks. Tuberculosis and another even more dreaded disease are communicable in about the same degree as leprosy, and introduce problems of a similar kind.

Zed, Albert and Mary. In January, 1892, aid was asked for a family consisting of Mr. Zed, twenty-eight years old, his wife, twenty-six, and two children under three years. The previous September, owing to an acci dent while at work, Mr. Zed lost one of his eyes, and since then had not contributed to the support of his household. Mrs. Zed, a fringe maker, had utilized such time as she could spare from her children by working at her trade in her rooms. Fellow-workmen took up a collection when Mr. Zed was hurt, but it had been exhausted, and debts for living expenses had accumulated.

The man, while sober and honest, was found lacking in energy and stability, giving up work for trivial reasons, and in his periods of idleness allowing his wife to bear the burden of support. She was delicate physically and never free from the need of tonics. The children were puny, unhealthy, and from their birth required cod liver oil and also alcohol baths. There was ample work for a friendly visitor, the man needing constant urging to his duty and the woman wholesome sympathy and encouragement.

At various times the visitor and her committee placed the children under hospital care, secured the cooperation of societies and individuals, keeping proper nourishment supplied, and repeatedly found work for Mr. Zed, who would keep it so short a time that assisting him in that respect was discouraging and almost hopeless. His wife, always willing to do her utmost, was hampered by increased expenses and debts from long illness.

In January, 1893, owing to the fact that Mr. Z. had been working faithfully and the friendly visitor had kept a careful watch over them, they were free from debt and had a little surplus in the savings bank, but in May of that year he had been idle or only earning small wages, there had been more illness, and again debts had been incurred. In September, 1894, one child was buried, and during the following May and June two died from scarlet fever.

Until October, 1896, constant help was required and obtained. Permanent work was then secured for him at thirty dollars per month, which he still retains, having worked steadily from that time to the present. Mrs. Zed has worked diligently at her fringe making, debts have been paid, an honest return made of money loaned by the friendly visitor in emergencies, and they have bought a new sewing-machine and other comforts.

Keenan, Frank and Norah. Mrs. Keenan was first aided in groceries when her husband had injured his ankle. Eight years later the family was again aided with food and clothing, references giving a good report. A daughter, Kate, was placed in a private hospital, where she died, and Mr. Keenan went back to his old position. The two oldest children were in Ireland with relatives.

Two years after this Mr. Keenan was ill, and two private societies and a church aided. Mrs. Keenan secured work in the workrooms, and diet-kitchen tickets were also given. Her husband then died, and funeral expenses were met by friends. The relatives in Ireland refused to receive Mrs. Keenan, who had steady work and was able to pay her rent. The next year the family was aided by a society for the relief of widows. All the children were delicate, and an effort was made to find work for the mother in the country. She, however, refused to go. Diet-kitchen tickets were given frequently, and two of the children were sent on a fresh-air outing to the country. Here they were so much loved that the family with whom they stayed wished them to remain, but to this Mrs. Keenan would not consent. A friendly visitor had supervision of the family.