Evening star., 1909-06-29

the babies Of the poor may be had
on application to George s. Will
SON, secretary OF the Board OF
Charities, at the Municipal build
ing.
Forty-three babies under three years OF
age have died during the past six days.
Two OF these died solely from heat ex-
haustion.
Twenty-one others died from diseases OF
the bowels. principally caused by tho IN
tense heat and food spoiled by the heat.
Twenty others died from other causes.
the heat, in the opinion Of Health Omcer
Woodward, being contributing cause.
The records Of the health Office. 1t was
announced by the health officer. show
these results among the babies Of the
city from the hot wave OF the past six
days Yet they do not tell the whole
story, Dr. Woodward explained this morn
ing, because many deaths which occurred
Sunday and yesterday have undoubtedly
not been reported. The deaths usually do
not come to the attention Of the health
ONCE until application for burial permits
are made.
Making an analysis Of records before
him, Health Officer Woodward found that
seven OF the babies that have died in the
past sixN days live In alley homes. Ihe
census figures show that about one
twentieth OF the entire population OF the
city live in alley homes, or about one
fourteenth of the babies under one year
Of age live in scuh homes. This indicates
that the proportion OF deaths among the
alley babies is much larger than the pro
living in the city.
Special Watch on Milk Supply.
Special efforts are being made by
the health department during this hot
weather. Dr. Woodward declared today.
to see that good and pure milks being
sold to the city's residents to nourtsh the
Washington babies. The inspectors are
putting in long hours~testing milk TO see
that the cans and bottles are clean, ana
that the milk is kept and handled IN san
itary ways.
what we need here" said DR.. Wood
ward. ARE some public milk depots' sucn
as they have in New York city. "nese s
teurized and cold milk in small quanti-
ties. That would practically guarantee
good milk for the babies and be q pig sop
In reducing infant mortality In this CITY.
"In New York Mr. Straus has estab-
lished a number OF such milk depots as
a public philanthropy; and they distribute
pasteurized milk in small quantities to
the poor. Pay is asked when those who
others the lacteal fluid is furnished free
| If ice is desired to keep the milk cold
| until 1t Is used. that Is also supplied.
| Such a system Of milk depots in this city
would mean much to the babies of this
| city.
Free Ice for the Poor.
| That free Ice is available for the poor
Of the city, especially for the poor fam
| lilies with babies, was the announcement
made last week by Commissioner Mac
farland and reiterated this morning. II
has been provided to relieve suffering on
just such hot days as have been swelter-
Ing Washington recently. he said: and II II
| is being used in all cases brought to the
| attention Of the proper persons.
| Mr. Macfarland explained this morning
that the ice Is provided by donor who
wishes his name withheld for all the sick
| poor and for all babies OF the poor,
| whether sick or well.
| Mr. Macfarland said that If any one
| desired free ice 1t would be promptly
| furnished upon application. The distri-
button Of the ice has been placed by Com,
missioner Macfarland under the general
direction Of George 8. Wilson, secretary
| to the board Of charities, who is assisted
| by the physicians to the poor and the
nurses OF the Instructive Visiting Nurses
| Society and the Associated Charities, all
| of whom have special information about
those who are entitled to the use Of the
ice An appeal to any Of these agencies
| will promptly bring the Ice.
Coroner Nevitt's Comments.
In speaking of the matter today DR..
Neyitt said: 'This rate Of death among
the babies Of our city cells story Of
poverty, misery and helplessness A ma
jorty of the children are of the poor who
are crowded together in alleyways and
narrow streets, cut off from the sun
shine and pure air. The insanitary con-
ditions existing in some of these places
are in a great measure responsible for
the high death rate among the infants,
and there is no question in my mind but
what these babies died Of the heat.
Many of the streets of this city and
the yards of the houses are in such
condition that it is a wonder the death
rate among children is not higher. Chill
dren must have fresh air, proper food and
water. and other things. Many of the
little ones who died recently would possi-
bly, have been alive today If they had
secured the proper nourishment and pure
air. In many of the houses of the poor
sections two and three people are crowded
into one bed: whole families live In one
room, and in many cases among them are
the infants, which are forced to breathe
the impure air Of the adults and of the
insanitary conditions surrounding them.
In some places the children are taken
from their homes for the purpose of CIV
ing them fresh air, but they are only
taken into the narrow street, which IN
some instances contains garbage cans and
other such things, which contain germs.
and thus the little one suffers the conse-
uuence Babies cannot survive under such
conditions in this city. and it is wonder
many more of them do not die during the
hot weather"