"All the maladjustments of our social and economic relations seemed epitomized in their brief journey and what was found at the end of it."

Lillian Wald, The House on Henry Street

Prior Conditions

In the early 1900s, American cities were known as nasty and unsound places to live. The presence of infectious disease was an alarming source of public concern. 
In response to these conditions, many communities hired trained nurses to care for the poor.