Bismarck daily tribune., 1912-05-23
Maternity
INSURANCE
IN France
Robert M. McWade.

WASHINGTON, May 23.-MaterI-
ity insurance in France is subject
that is exciting much interest among
hunlanitarans and sociologlsts, as
well as among men and women prom
inen: in medical circles here and in
many other sections of the country.
The matter has received an added
filling through Juliette Heale, the
noted writer and thinker, coming out
in an open statement in which she
shows La Belle France to be the ma
ton the most appreciative of the dig.
nifty of motherhood, for there, a sys-
tenn Of insurance is in operation by
which a poor working girl, be she girl.
wife or widow, may secure assistance
IN all matters pertaining to the health
of herself or her child.
One great object of this scheme is
the production of the healthiest and
best citizens for the country, and to
this end every effort is made to en-
sure the natural feeding of the child
and to preserve the best possible home
conditions.
In Paris, the women pay member
ship fee of three francs-about 60
cents-and all their medical and nursL
ing expenses are paid, and if they are
unable to afford cradle and layette,
these are also provided. The mother
is encouraged to come periodically for
medical advice before the birth Of the
child, and a prize of money is given
10 those who come certain number
Of times during given intervals. If it
is necessary to abstain from work,
she s provided Hfor either in her own
home or in the rest homes Of the or
ganization.
The mother gets twelve francs a
week for four weeks after the birth if
she does not return to work for that
time; and if she feeds her baby natur-
ally, she receives bonus of twenty
francs If she has another little
child at the time she is paid Is francs
week instead of IL, and if twins are
born 7S francs week are given. Aid
In a less degree is given to those wom-
en- who. through poverty or careless
ness, have not paid the full member
ship fee.
Even greater solcitude is shown
for the welfare of the child, which is
brought regularly to one of the nu-
merous clinics that have been estab-
lished. Here all necessities for both
mother and child are supplied, but
particularly any necessities in the
way of medicines or sterilized milk
for the baby. Each of the many
branches which are placed all over
the city has its creche, where the
women can leave their infants during
working hours.
The business of this organization
the Mutualite Maternelle of Paris,
which is the model for similar ones
in other parts of Fance-is admins
tced by a council composed of dele
gates from trade syndicates, which
employ many women, a certain num-
Der of the beneficiaries themselves,
and many wealthy philanthropists. OF
the expense of the work one-sixth is
raised by the council. annual contri-
buttons are made by the municipal
council of Paris, the general council,
the board of trade and all the little
townlets Of the department of the
Seine Whatever is still lacking is
raised by a subscription ball, a pri-
vate lottery, bazaar, or amy other
money-mahng function which people
of wealth and social influence can
devise.
One of the biggest things accom-
plished by this organization is the res
toration of respectfully and courage
to many working7girl mothers of fine
type, who have fallen from the
straight path through ignorance or
lack OF natural protectors, and who
have eventually proved themselves
excellent mothers of children who bid
fair to prove excellent citizens.