[Hardy-l] the harsh truth

[Rosemarie Morgan]

Jackie is correct. For example, one "shocking" consequence of the 
introduction of the water closet mid-century was the high incidence of 
infant mortality/infanticide. It was not, however, that infanticide rates 
had escalated overnight as some contemporary statisticians declared but 
that previous disposal of infants by means of earth closets didn't 
necessarily result in discovery. The water closet method of disposal 
frequently resulted in discovery because the little bodies didn't always 
flush away but got stuck in the plumbing.

To return to Hardy on this topic, "A Sunday Morning Tragedy" treats with 
the tragic results of using veterinary abortifacients.

           Rosemarie


>  historically inaccurate it is not. I did not mean to imply that all 
> working class families treated unwanted offspring in this way, but 
> believe me it certainly did happen
Jackie