New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-07
UNITE TO SAVE BABIES
City's Milk Stations Form ASSo-
citation to Help the Work.
CALL DEATH RATE TOO HIGH
Health Department Joins Move
ment-Duplication of Effort
To Be Avoided.

Health Commissioner Tederle said yes
terday that an association OF all the agen-
cies conducting infants milk stations In
the Borough Of Manhattan had been
formed 70 gain the fullest efficiency possible
In the campaign 70 lower the infant NOR
tally rate in this city which is at present
unusually high. The association will aim TO
avoid duplication OF effort through over
tapping of territory or otherwise and VIII
establish a similar system OF records, seek
full cooperation of existing forces and
provide for educational publicity
DR.. S. j. Baker. director Of child hygiene
o, the Department OF Health, has been
elected chairman OF the association, and
among those who will assist as members
~ the executive committee are Paul f.
Tavlor, Of the New York Milk Committee;
Miss NJ L. Daniels Of the New York Diet
Kitchen Association. DR. Arthur r. Green
~ the Nathan Straus Laboratories; Miss
Lillian wald. Of the Nurses Settlement
DR. r. A. Benson. ~ the Babies Dairies
and Allen W. McCurdy. Of tie Morning
side Mix Dspensary.
At present there are sixty-fve infants
milk stations in the Borough OF Man.
haitian This number will probably be In
creased during the summer. In practically
all OF them nurses are In attendance every
dav 70 instruct the mothers in the proper
modification and care OF milk. and physt-
clans hold conferences at stated intervals
during the week where the mothers re-
cefve general instructions in baby care. and
sick babies are treated.
n is believed that the establishment OF
this Association ~ Infants Milk Stations
will do much 70 strengthen the work or
the Individual societies and Increase the
efficiency Of what ia already one OF the
most important features in the campaign
for the reduction o, infant mortality.
According 10 Dr. Baker. there has been
a great awakening among the people IN
the last two or three years regarding the
"disgracerully high infant mortality rate.
This wear. more than in other years. he
said. a determined effort was being made
to educate parents properly 10 care for
their children.
"I think" continued DR. Baker that
education amounts to 20 per cent in the
saving Of infants and feeding o per cent.
| There has been a marked change for the
better in recent years through the efforts
Of the many organizations engaged in this
work The increase has been more notice
able in institutions despite the care and
attention which are given 70 the little ones
there But they need. OF course personal
attention. They need mothering."
/ Or. Baker believes that the fight against
, Ignorance as well as the plan 70 provide
proper food for infants Will do even more
good this year because OF better organIza-
ton. II is the desire Of the Department OF
! Health 70 simplify the whole system OF
warfare on infant mortality. and with the
| formation now Of the association Of milk
stations It is believed a big advance has
/ been made.
! In the words Of Or. Baker excessive
mortality is primarily due 10 ignorance and
| improper food" She says home baby
/ has a much better chance to live, even II
cared for only by a foster mother, thar
those who nave 10 be taken care OF in in
, stitutions.