Child mortality in the Italian Hospital in Prague (1719-1789)

Area of Science:

• Historical demography
• Pediatric mortality studies
• Social history of child welfare

Background:

• The Italian Hospital in Prague functioned as a long-term residence for foundlings and orphans throughout the 18th century.
• The institution housed children until approximately age twenty, providing a unique demographic for historical study.
• Death registers from this period are crucial, yet require critical evaluation for accurate analysis of child mortality patterns.

Observation:

• Analysis of mortality patterns within the Italian Hospital reveals the limitations of its care system.
• The study critically examines the death register, a key source for understanding historical infant and child mortality.
• Residents experienced specific forms of care not typically found in private households during the era.

Findings:

• The Hospital's care system did not significantly reduce the inherently high rates of infant and child mortality.
• Despite high mortality, residents benefited from care provisions superior to those available in many private homes.
• Mortality patterns indicate both the challenges of institutional care and its potential benefits for vulnerable children.

Implications:

• This research highlights the complex realities of child welfare and mortality in 18th-century Prague.
• Understanding historical institutional care provides context for contemporary child welfare strategies.
• The findings underscore the importance of critically analyzing historical records for demographic and social research.