New-York tribune., 1901-07-07
BABIES IN INCUBATOR,S.
HOW THE LITTLE WEAKLING's LIFE IS
SAVED-INTERESTING EXHIBIT
AT EXPOSITIONS.

Babies IN incubators and babies graduated from
incubators to bassinets are considered among the
most popular exhibits at Buffalo. The Babes
Building at the exposition is constantly crowded
with visitors, many OF whom return more than
once 70 watch the interesting process that defeats
natures attempt TO deprive prematurely born in
fants of the right TO life. liberty and pursuit Of
happiness.
The idea OF using an incubator occurred TO DR.
Crede about sixty years ago, but that invented by
him never came into general use. and in 1873 DR..
Tarnier of Paris. applied the principle OF the poul
try incuba tors apparatus for infants. which
was installed in the Paris Maternity Hospital In
1880 Berlin and London have permanent insti-
tutions similarly equipped and in successful opera
ton.
The incubator is glass in metal frame.
supported metal legs. In II is suspended cot
OF woven wire. adequately padded Fresh air is
admitted by a large tube from outside the room.
This air, first passing through antiseptic fluid
and being filtered through cotton, enters at the
bottom of the case and strikes an umbrella-like
shield below the cot. and is thus detected down
ward till it meets the current o; air provided
by a Bunsen's burner placed outside the case.
Inside the incubator is thermostat. which by rs
contraction and expansion automatically works
lever outside. lowering raising cover on the
burner and thus directing more heat inside the
incubator letting II outside, according ms
the inner temperature falls below rises above
the required degree. A thermometer In front reg
listers the degree existing, The foul air escapes
from above through air shaft.
In a large, sanitary room well lighted stand about
a dozen of these ncubators. occupied by premature
weakly infants, swathed in German fashion.
These infants sent by the physicians OF Buffalo
and handed the of the Institution.
They are weighed: properly clothed and placed in
the incubator. They generally under Ave
pounds in weight admission. 4 staff OF
nurses is kept in the establishment, all OF them
being medically examined and carefully selected.
They live IN the building. and their diet and regi-
are carefully regulated
The babies are taken out OF the incubator every
two hours to be fed. Those that are TOO weak 20
feed In the natural manner receive sustenance
through the Gavage spoon, which conveys the milk
through the nostrs 10 the passages leading 10 the
stomach. As soon as they are strong enough, they.
too, are given over to the nurses. Each child
is weighed before and after each feeding.
Most Of the babies lie with eyes closed and prac-
tically the only sign OF life Is the sional utter
Of a tiny hand. The boys nave distinguishing rib
bons OF blue and the girls OF pink. in accordance
with European custom.
Back of the incubator room is a model nursery.
and a miniature elevator takes the infants the
upstairs quarter 10 be fed. There the medical
directors. Drs Schenckheim and Coney live and
the nurses have their apartments
II is said that more than S. per OF the chill
dren thus reared saved. while under normal