0BJECT1 VE.
71
of a species of mental activity, viz., the excitement and spurring involved in the effort of a “ piece-worker ” to accomplish a certain result, and obtain a proportionate wage.
Contrary to the opinion expressed by Judge Cowley,* that “it can hardly be said that piece-workers’ health is either better or worse than the health of day-workers,” inquiries the present year, both within the mills and of physicians in factory localities, lead to the conclusion, that the piece-workers do suffer, both in general and special disturbance, to a greater degree than day-workers. Inquiry of a distinguished physician who has enjoyed a large practice in one of the principal cotton-factory cities of the State, and who is noted for his exactness in method and record, brought out the fact, as established by his private and hospital records, that nearly a third more came under his professional observation from the pieceworkers than from the day-workers. An inquiry after those who had been counted the
* Eep. Mass. Bureau Statistics of Labor, 1873, p. 282.