Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-11-13
HAMPTON, PHOEBUS AND OLD POINT-C Continued.
WASTE CHHDRENS LIVES
Thousands of Little Ones Die Every Year Because OF
Lack of Attention

congenital debility. 40; venerable dis-
case. 40: diarrhoea and entertitis. the
most important cause Of infant NOR
ttilty. 60: ;neasels, 40; acute bron'
chitis. 80: bronchopneumonia, 80;
whooping cough. 40; Group (Which
means diphtheria). Is; meningitis. 40;
disease OF larynx other than laryn-
gifts, 40: laryngitis. 40. diphtheria
(under its proper appellation). 20;
scarlet fever. 50.
Other diseases especially fatal TO
infants and children would perhaps
show equally great ratios of proven
liability they do not appear In the
above list because their median ages
are above the limit chosen or because.
as is the case with commissions. they
are grouped with other and incongru-
Gus causes.
The possible saving Of life for
general, ill-dehned and unknown
causes including heart failure drop
sy.' and commissions. median age 30
years. Is 80 per cent. The median
age OF commissions alone is less than
one year. and II is probable that at
least the ratio OF preventaeility OF
diarrhea and enteritis 100 per cent?
would apply to II. The term Is an
indefinite one. being expressive mere
lily of symptoms attending the true
cause of death; nevertheless no fewer
than $40 deaths were compiled there
from for 1908, although. in compiia-
ton. any other definite cause Is pre-
ferred The term is no longer employ
ed by well-informed physicians In re-
porting causes of death. and II Is
possible. by inquiry made by the local
registrar Immediately after the receipt
OF this and other unsatisfactory state
ments, to practically eliminate them
from the returns as has lately been
done for Chicago
In the light of the figures quoted
above IL would seem that practical
sanitation has only made a beginning
in the work of preventing the occur
ence of infant and child mortality.
The ground has only been scratched
over. Deep stirring of the soil ana
thorough cultivation of all the means
available, with our present scienth-
ic and medical knowledge for the
guarding of young human lives would
produce startling, and from all past
human experiences almost unbeliev-
able. results. Public health, as func-
ton OF government. is Itself only
creation Of the middle part OF the
last century, dating from the utiliza-
ton OF the knowledge available as
result of the operation of the English
laws for the registration Of vital sta
tistics (s73). Even in England, how
ever, no systematic efforts have been
made until very recent years to util-
ize to their utmost possibilities the
facts already known. The infant NOR
tality of England was higher for the
Years 1886 to 1900 than for the years
1861 to 1865. and no marked reduc-
ton in the early rates occurs until the
present decade.
1T is time that greater attention
be given to the subject in the United
States. The prompt registration Of all
births and the more careful and pre-
else statement OF causes OF death by
physicians are essential. Such terms
as commissions 'marasmus.' debility,
and the like should no longer be toll
Grated when the true cause OF death
can be determined