The Washington herald., 1909-07-29
RELIEF FOR BABIES
District Officials to Combat
Infant Mortality.
FREE MILK AND MEDICINE
Commissioner mcfarland COnfers
with Health officer Regarding E1-
tension of Further Aid TO Children
of INDECENT POOr-Aim 10 Keep Step
with Similar Work in other Cities.

In the interest Of the babies OF the
poor. Commissioner Macfarland yesterday
held q conference with Dr. William C.
woodward. health officer. for the purpose
Of perfecting plans whereby provision
may be made for extending free medical
and nurse service to This class OF chill
dren
The need OF providing safe milk at the
lowest possible prices was also con-
sidered
The members OF the Instructive Nurses
Society, who work among the INDECENT
poor, nursing sick children and instruct
ing mothers in the best methods of care
and treatment for prevention OF summer
sickness. and free medicali service and a
generous supply of free ice. have ac-
complished much for the alienation OF
suffering IN the tenement districts. The
good work is being prosecuted with
vigor
Commissioner Macfarland and DR..
Woodward see the necessity OF further
extending this work and obtaining for
the suffering children Of the poor a cheap
and abundant supply Of safe modified
milk, and II possible make II absolutely
The Commissioner said yesterday that he
was very desirOus that Washington
should do as much for this class Of the
community as IS being done In other cit
les. and that he regretted that the ap-
preparations were not sufficient 10 enable
the health department 10 do what is be-
ing done elsewhere.
He pointed out that the milk commits
sion Of Chicago has established through
out the city stations where the poor can
obtain at prices within their reach milk
that can be safely given 10 babies. Ten
physicians are assigned for three hours
each day 20 these milk stations for the
purpose of examining such children as
may be brought 10 the stations. They
give advice as 70 feeding. dressing. and
general care Of children. and give medi-
cal and surgical treatment free. A corps
OF trained nurses canvass the territory
and give professional, hygienic, medical.
and nursing advice Daily reports are
made 20 the health department showing
the condition OF the health of the poor
children Of the city. and in this way pre-
ventive steps can be taken 10 handle the
situation in suppressing an epidemic and
assuring the best treatment 20 sick poor
children.
The Chicago health department acts as
a clearing house for certain charity or
ganizations interested IN lessenine OF In
fant mortality. The United Charities
Association investigates certain neighbor-
hoods where infant deaths have been
numerous.
In addition 20 this. the tuberculosis In
stitute Will take special cognizance OF
cases In which infants coming under OBJ
servation need special care and Will see
that they are properly provided for. The
Chicago Medical Society is 10 cooperate
with the infants welfare committee IN
furnishing deserving INDECENT persons
necessary medical care and treatment
The Chicago Homeopathic Medical So
cietv and other medical societies are 10
be asked 10 cooperate I'm like manner.
Arrangements have been made. too
whereby physicians will meet at various
places from time 20 time groups OF par
ents and nurses and others having the
care Of children or an interest in their
welfare. 70 instruct them with respect "a
the hygiene OF infancy and childhood.
II is the hope OF COMMISSIONS Mac
farland that either through a generous
contribution Of some wealthy philan-
thropist, or by small contributions
means may be raised 10 meet the pres
eut demands for a cheaper or free sup
ply OF safe milk and that the medical
and nurse service may be enlarged and
extended He Will renew his efforts q
secure an adequate appropriation 10 meet
such conditions next year, and place
Washington In the same position regard
ing the reduction OF infantile mortality
as other large cities.