Question

1. (close reading) what does he mean when he refers to factories as nurseries of disease and vice?

Explanation:

This likely implies that factories are environments where disease spreads easily due to poor working - conditions, close - quarters, and lack of proper sanitation. Regarding vice, it may suggest that the long working hours, harsh conditions, and economic pressures in factories lead to immoral or unethical behavior among workers or management.

Answer:

He likely means that factories are places where disease spreads readily due to poor conditions and also breeding grounds for immoral or unethical behavior.