Keys to History

In the 19th century, illustrators often dwelt on the hidden, dismal side of cities. The popular imagination was fuelled by representations of Death, vigilant and cruel, ready to carry off the poor, the sick and the most vulnerable members of society. With industrialization and urbanization, the city became even more dangerous. In Montreal, contagious diseases spread quickly and the deterioration of the environment also contributed to a strong increase in the death rate. Infant mortality was one of the great scourges of the late 19th century and Montreal led the way in these grim statistics with the highest infant mortality rate of any North American city. Everywhere, cow's milk, used as a substitute for mother's milk, was seen as one of the main causes of so many children's deaths.