Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-28
SAFE MILK FOR BABES
Commissioners Favor Munic-
ipaI Distributing Stations.
MORE MONEY Is NEEDED
Congress Will Again Be Asked for
an Appropriation.
MUCH GOOD NOW BEING DONE
Free Ice Distributed Through Gen
erosity of Anonymous Donor.
Chicago Board of Health's Plan.
MORE MONEY Is NEEDED
MUCH GOOD NOW BEING DONE

To save the lives of the babies in the
high temperature of summer the District
Commissioners favor the establishment
of municipal milk stations in different
parts of the city from which safe milk
can be distributed, at a minimum cost
for the babies.
Discussing the matter this morning,
Commissioner Macfarland declared that
there is great need of provision for safe
milk at the lowest prices or free alto
gether, and for much larger medical
and nurse service in the families of the
poor and destitute. Congress has been
asked by the Commissioners, he said, for
appropriations to do such work in Wash
ington under the direction of the health
department and the request will be re-
newed
Meanwhile, Commissioner Mcfarland
announced, in the interests of the babies
the health department will be glad to CO.
operate with any society or individual
able to supply any portion of the service
needed.
Commissioner Macfarland conferred
with Health Officer Woodward this morn
ing as to what the health department is
doing TO save the babies of the poor dur
ing the summer. He learned that the
health department is doing all it can.
Health officer Woodward explained that
the physicians to the poor and the nurses
of the Instructive Visiting Nurses So
ciety are doing good work. and the free
ice, furnished through fund placed I'm
Commissioner Macfarland's hand by a
Washingtonian who does not want his
name used. is accomplishing much for
the poor babies. Commissioner Macfar-
land expressed regret that the appropria-
lions are not sufficient to enable the
health department to do what is being
done elsewhere
Plan Followed in Chicago.
Health Officer Woodward told Commits
sioner Mcfarland of what is being done
in Chicago as an example of what might
be done here if the health department
had sufficient means.
The milk commission i'm that city has
established throughout Chicago stations
where the poor can obtain at prices with
in their reach milk that can safely be
siver TO babies. The Chicago health de-
partment has appointed ten physicians
who will be assigned for three hours
each day to these milk stations, for the
purpose of examining such children as
are taken TO these stations with their
parents or others when they come for
milk.
These physicians will give advice as to
proper feeding. dressing. treatment and
care OF children, and in cases where the
parents are without money will give medi-
cal and surgical assistance. The Chicago
health department has appointed also six
teen trained nurses. each to canvass the
entire district to which she is assigned
and to advise, where necessary. as to the
proper care and feeding of the infants
with whom they come in contact. These
physicians and nurses report daily to the
health department and keep a follow-up
record of each case they attend
Board Acts as Clearing House.
The Chicago department of health is,
moreover. to act as a clearing house. so
10 speak for certain organizations that
are to take part in the movement under
way TO lessen infant mortality. The
United Charities Association is to main
tain at its various centers of activity a
force of from eight to ten nurses. to
make personal Investigations of neighbor-
hoods where infant deaths have been
numerous. The nurses from the Tuber-
culosis Institute will take special cog
nzance of cases in which infants coming
under observation need special care and
will see that they are properly provided
for. The Chicago Medical Society is to
cooperate with the infants welfare com
mittee in furnishing deserving INDECENT
persons necessary medical care and treat
ment. The Chicago Homeopathic Medical
Society and other medical societies are to
he asked to cooperate in like manner.
Arrangements have been made, too.
whereby physicians will meet at various
places from time to time groups of par
ents and nurses and others having the
care of children or an interest in their
welfare. TO instruct them with respect to
the hygiene of infancy and childhood.