Sentence:  With difficulty could man be born into the world, or as soon as born would he die, leaving life at the very threshold of existence, unless the friendly hand of the careful matron, and the affectionate <WSD>assiduities</WSD> of the nurse, lent their aid to the helpless babe. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Constant personal attention, solicitous care.