THE RELATION OF PARENTAL NATIVITY TO THE INFANT MORTALITY OF NEW YORK STATE

The New York State Department of Health has for some years past realized the serious menace to the health and economic prosperity of future generations which is involved in the present high rate of infant morbidity and mortality. This is shown by the persistent and successful efforts which the department has made during the last ten years toward reducing the infant mortality of the state. It was believed, nevertheless, at the beginning of the year 1916, that the utmost reduction was still far from being attained, and that, if a more thorough and careful analysis of available statistical data were made much information might be acquired which would aid future efforts in this direction. Accordingly, it was decided to institute such an investigation during that year. The investigation was confined to a study of the data contained in the 1916 certificates of deaths and births, and although in consequence of this