In MontrÄal, unsanitary conditions in working-class neighbourhoods were the cause of many diseases and epidemics among both children and adults. In this illustration from the Canadian Illustrated News (December 6, 1873) the father of the family lies sick in a room which serves as kitchen, living room, and bedroom. Notice the dearth of furnishings. Improvements in the health conditions of QuÄbec working class families came very slowly. The first provincial legislation in this domain, in 1886, created both a provincial board and local boards of health. However, their powers were limited.
