BRUNSWICK.
127
The extent of the municipal area in 1905 was 3,366 acres, and the density
of population was 40 persons per acre.
The vitality statistics of Brunswick at the present time compare favourably
with those of other German towns. The following Table gives the more
important of these statistics :—
Year.
Birth-rate per 1,000
of Population.
Death-rate per 1,000
of Population.
Infantile Mortality
Rate per 1,000 births.
1879
1880
1885
1890
1895
1900
1901
1902
1903
1904
1905
38-1
370
346
353
333
313
315
300
29-0
27 5
252
28 4
25 6
23 6
24-0
21-4
19 5
19-3
16-8
19 3
17-8
17-6
231
240
222
215
229
216
209
147
206
187
205
It will be seen that there has during the last 26 years been a steady fall in
the death-rate, which in 1879 was 10'8 per 1,000 more than in 1905. This
improvement has been brought about by the efforts made on the part of the
municipal authorities and also of the Society for the Promotion of Public
Health—an organisation supported by voluntary contributions—in founding
various institutions on behalf of children and sick persons, and in general in
seeking to apply hygienic principles to the social life of the town. In this
connection may be mentioned the four milk stations conducted by this society,
which supply milk in bottles specially for infants and young children. The
average amount sold daily in 1905 was 1,592 quarts. Creches, kindergarten
schools, and a special school for children of defective mental capacity have been
established, and shower-baths have been placed in the public elementary schools.
Children whose homes are found to be detrimental to their physical and moral
welfare are placed in an institution which at present has accommodation for 200
such cases, During the summer holidays poor children whose health needs
recruiting are taken daily into the neighbouring forests, and during the summer
of 1905 over 400 children took part in these excursions. School doctors have
also been appointed in connection with the elementary schools, and the Public
Health Society already named sends batches of the more delicate children to the
seaside in summer. A “ People’s Kitchen ” also provides wholesome food at a
low price.
Occupations, Wages, and Hours of Labour.
The industrial activity of Brunswick is very varied in character, and
consequently offers considerable choice of occupations both to men and women.
The trades employing the largest number of men are those connected with the
manufacture of machinery and mechanical apparatus of various kinds, including
sewing machines and machinery required in sugar factories, in mines, and in the
canning industry. The manufacture of motor omnibuses and gasometers is also
an important branch of industry. One large firm employing over 700 hands is
engaged in making railway signals which are used on various continental lines.
Altogether more than 8,000 workers are employed in 73 establishments engaged
m the metal and machine industry.
The canning of vegetables, asparagus, peas, beans,' &c., is an industry which
is carried on not only in the town but throughout the whole State, which
possesses altogether for this purpose 50 establishments with 3,174 employees,
about half the total number of workers in this industry in the whole of Germany.
In the town of Brunswick itself there are 26 concerns in which over 2,500 men and
Women are engaged. This industry is carried on during the months from May to
October, commencing as soon as the asparagus is ready for cutting. During the
Remainder of the year very few men are retained, for the purpose of executing
repairs and making the necessary preparations for the following season. The
