Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-11
Loss MEANS MUCH
Correspondent 0epIores Clos
ing Of Straus Laboratory.
May BE FATAL TO BABIES
Clayton L. jerks Calls Attention to
Good it Has Done.
WEDNESDAY NEXT LAST DAY
Urges District Citizens Keep Insti-
tuition Going Until Congress
Has Chance to Act.
May BE FATAL TO BABIES
WEDNESDAY NEXT LAST DAY
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
Dear Sir:
Here is a question for the people
Of this city to decide. Perhaps it is
milk laboratory for infant feeding is
scheduled to close March Is. 1911.
Some may not know the function. of
this laboratory. The facts are these:
About one year ago Mr.. Nathan Straus
equipped an expensive plant at 1919 II
street northwest for modifying and
pasteurizing milk for the babies Of the
District. Four physicians of national
reputation prepared formulas for modi-
flying milk. by the addition of sugars
lime, water. barley cruel, etc, these
formulas being varied to suit infants
of all ages. With the advice of the
board of health and public health serv-
ice. physician, who makes infant
feeding specially, volunteered to
oversee the health Of the babies many
of whom are not under the care OF
other physicians.
A moderate price is charged for the
milk. which is not delivered so as not
to enter into active competition with
the milkmen. The District nurses are
empowered to furnish free tickets to
those who cannot afford this milk, con-
sequently. about 25 per cent of this
milk is given away to deserving cases.
On an average 20 babies are cared
for daily. People of all walks of life
get milk there but the majority are
those of the less prosperous.
This work has been carried on as an
educational experiment. with the hope
that. if successful. the local government
M <h<, I'll n.,,-, h..
last session Of Congress Senator Gal
linger secured the passage In the Sem
ate of bill drafted by Secretary Mac
Veagh, which called for the acceptance
provided for it's maintenance for re-
search purposes, under the charge Of the
public health and marine hospital SER
vice. This bill was not acted upon by
the House.
Laboratory to Close Wednesday.
The result is, Mr.. Straus is discouraged.
He wonders at the altruistic sentiment
and local pride that decline his unfetter-
ed gift. A large black and white sign
that white may represent crepe on the
doors Of many Washington homes-across
the front Of this laboratory gives the sad
news that on and after March 10 the
place will be closed; but, as a ray of
hope, the equipment will. be left intact for
few months in order that Congress may
have time to act upon this measure Mr.
Stratus hopes that the children's voices
may prevail.
What does this mean? Do you realize
the ignorance displayed by hundreds of
mothers in the care Of their babies? Ask
any OF the District nurses. Their stories
make one think. The health officer gives
the infant death rate as about 10 per
cent. Then note the fact that of all the
babies fed from the laboratory for over
a month not one has died from intestinal
troubles. The death rate of the Straus
babies is a trifle under & per cent
Go over to the laboratory about
o'clock some day. Compare the new
babies with those grown fat on pure.
clean milk. There can be but one logical
conclusion from such observation. This
is necessary.
Congress may pass that bill at the
special session. Well, what will some
Of those babies do in the meantime?
It would be a long fast from March
IL until some time in April, at the
earliest. The babies can go back to
their former diet! Some would receive
condensed milk, with it's injuriously
high content of SUGAR: others ordinary
raw milk. given undiluted. or imperfect
adding cane sugar. solution of lime
obtained from a plasterer, and possibly
badly cooked barley Cruel. all mixed
according to the most unscientific
and bottles. It is impossible to over
draw the picture.
Will Undo the Good Work.
The closing Of this laboratory, even
for short time, will undo the good
work OF the many past months. This
is especially calamity in view of the
nearness 6 summer, and the conse-
quent increased death rate which &C.
ours at that time. Can you wonder at
the tears in the eyes of those who have
worked to make 1t a success.
A baby, weighing ten pounds at birth,
came to the laboratory the other day,
and now weighs but seven. the loss being
due to improper feeding. This child did
have a good chance for its life. That
helpless bit Of flesh and blood beseeches
aid in the uphill struggle against its en-
vironment, for which who knows but
we are responsible. Are we willing that
this baby and many others like it should
be allowed to die? Two parents, handi-
capped by absolute deafness, brought a
winsome little baby to the laboratory
very recently for help. They lost their
only other child; now they are almost
frantic with fear that the new baby may
leave them.
II is true--with bout the help of this pure
milk. free from disease germs, and ac-
curate in proportions suited to the child s
age, the chances arc many babies will
die.
The proposition isis there enough
spirit in this city to keep this laboratory
open until Congress can act? Who will
give his support, big or little. by opening
his purse for the babies? Possibly Con-
gress could or would act within month;
the laboratory would then become a per-
manent institution.
What can be done about this? Here is a
cause worthy of help. Let those who wish
to help write a letter of encouragement
for publication. Suggest plans Promise
help. There. is but till Wednesday next
to get something done. 1t is believed that.
If SUFFICIENT encouragement is given, Mr..
Straus can be persuaded to allow the use
can be provided.
CLAYTON L. jerks.
5000. Macomb street, Cleveland Park,
March H. 1911.