New-York tribune., 1909-01-31
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
APPEAL FOR MILK DEPoTs.
Funds Needed to Garry On Work That Has
Saved Lives of Babies.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: of the most important works which 10
being carried on In this city is that supported by
the New York Milk Committee of the Association
FOR Improving the Condition Of the Poor rms
COMMITTEES since June 1,@1 1908, has malntaheo
seven infants milk depots in which pure MILK
modified in exact feelings has been sold under the
supervision Of trained nurses and physicians
Owing to lack CT funds. there is an Immediate
probability at the present time that tnese oeFo's
will be closed This must not be. I cannot oeheNe
that men and women who have little ones Vi 'heii
own viii permit II,
AS chairman OF the association of twenty nuns
volunteer physicians who have worked without
compensation in the depots, well as one VINO Is
deeply interested in infant feeding, / can perso"
ally testify the great good which is heing done
not merely by the distribution OF milk. but oy tiie
instructions of the nurses, who. ell OF thenl' hA
worked almost the point OF breaking down III
health 10 save lives of the babies In their ais
tricts. when thin. enacated children ory
and wfzened like Egyptian n1ummies. orosght 70
the depots and in three or four months sees thefn
alive and harry because of the and Alteration
that have been given them, he realizes what 'i0-
rnendous value the depots possess
In all my experience as a physician know OF no
one agency that is saving more lives or preVenuns
more suffering among poor people than Is the lliA
COMMITTEES through its milk depots. THOUSANDS OF
dollars are spent yearly for institutions OF learn
iug parks monuments, hospitals, asylun1s. play
grounds etc Why cannot money be also gwen
TO prevent the deaths of innocent httle oaoles' "
bring smiles to mothers faces, TO do away WIN
the aching void which is caused I'm 80 many hornes
bv the departure of a little one? The readers Oh
The Tribune cannot imagine the suffering and dls-
tress which found in the poor quarters OF TINS
city; neither can they imagine the sickness and sur
fering which are caused by things easily prevent
able Mothers want to know how to take care Oh
their children but they do not know how and they
never will know until they educated by some
one who comes along and tells them Gil ABOUT
themselves and their little ones
This is what the milk committee is doing. con-
slider its work the biggest educational Work that Is
eing carried on to-day because it deals with fun
damental problems. namely, the saving and en-
hancing life which every one Is entitled.
cannot believe that this good work will be d1scon-
tiuued Why il ought be extended. not stopped
There ought to be fifty milk depots in New NorR
City instead of only few there are at present
Large sums ought to be given to provide nurses
for these depots and to provide money for mothers
who are too weak and sicky and tired and over
worked to nourish their babies. When viii
our great philanthropsts who are seeking 10 Kho"
how to spend wisely wake UP to this situation?
When will they see that before anything else can
be done it is necessary start life right. TO bring
children into the world unhandcapped by disease
and Sickness give these little ones their right
full heritage Of strong bodies and perfect health?
Cannot something be done through your paper TO
put these facts so clearly before the minds Of the
public In New York City that funds will not be
lacking not only to carry on the work 1t exists
at present but to extend It that every sickly
little sufferer and every weak, tired, overWorhed
mother in New York City cannot suffer or de pe-
cause of ignorance or lack Of proper nourlshneh'!
GODFREY r. FISK. NJ d.
New York. Jan a, 1909.