Evening star., 1913-11-20
THE PREVENTION OF
INFANT MORTALITY
BY Frederic J. Haskin.

The American Association for the Study
and Prevention Of Infant Mortality mas
Just concluded its fourth annual meeting
in Washington. The association was
formed in November. 1910. at the close
of the first conference on infant mortal
ity ever held In the United States. It
owes its existence primarily to the
American Academy OF Medicine, which
called the first conference held at Yale
University Since then 1t has grown rap
idly in numbers and influence. 1t has
HEADQUARTERS at 1211 Cathedral street
Baltimore, under the direction Of Miss
Gertrude Knipp, executive secretary,
where prompt attention is given to any
communication regarding infant welfare.
The objects Of the association are to
study the causes Of infant mortality and
awaken a national interest in reducing
It, 1t furnishes active plans for prevent
i've work which may be put into effect
uniformly throughout the country. 1t
acts as a central clearing house for the
collection and dissemination of fnforma-
ton regarding infant mortality. and the
work being done to check it. 1t carries
on general propaganda through its
headquarters in Baltimore and is respon-
sible for special studies and investigations
presented by Its standing committees. 1t
provides travelling exhibit upon infant
mortality and conditions Affecting 1t,
which can be sent from one city to an
other upon request or through arrange
ment with local committee. 1t holds an
annual meeting where the newest IDEAS In
infant mortality preventive work are In
troduced, and the discussions published
for distribution among those interested.
X X
The membership consists of organiza-
tions and individuals. Much of the
strength of the
Many Bodies association is
Interested in Work. nnmher Of
affiliated organizations cooperating with
It, These include departments of health
in many cities, medical organizations.
women's clubs, nurses organizations. In
fant welfare societies, home economic
organizations and many others that are
interested in some form of baby-saving
activity. Through these affiliations the
association has been in touch with the
organized baby-saving campaigns which
have been held during the year in forty
two large cities in twenty-seven different
states. 1t is expected that this number
will be doubled in the coming year.
i Hc SuDJCClS IHOSt CiOSCIy ACidICu ~ IL
FAINT mortality and it's prevention dis
cussed at the recent meeting include
birth registration, eugenics, the prenatal
care and instruction of expectant
mothers, standards of training for infant
welfare nurses. public school education
for prevention of infant mortality and the
relation of the plans for infant conserva-
ton to the ideals of general conservation.
The primal factor in the development OF
mortality preventive work Is securing re-
liable vital statistics. Birth registration
is the basis of. determining the infant
mortality rate which indicates the num-
Der of babies in each thousand who die
in their first year Of life. Lewis Merriam,
the assistant chief Of the federal chill
drens bureau, designates the infant NOR
tality rate as the clinical thermometer
of the modern health officer and sanitar-
ian. Where adequate birth and death
registration exists the public health
officer can watch the infant mortality
chart as the weatherman watches the
thermometer. He can pick out the areas
of social storm or stress just as the
weather man picks out the location of at
mospheric storms. The great English stat
istieian. Sir Arthur Newsholme, claims
that the infant mortality rate is the best
index OF social conditions. All lives are
affected by bad social conditions SO that
increased social pressure means an in
creased death rate The babies suffer first
because they are the mercury In the ma
tional health thermometer. Their lives
are so delicate that the slightest increase
in pressure Is reflected Immediately by a
sharp increase in their death rate.
Where vital records are kept the officer
by glancing at the chart can tell where
the need of
Can Keep Eyes prev entiv
on General Situation. est Knowinr
the number of infants born in an area
enables him to decide when a death in
dicates a need of preventive measure to
check the force of an epidemic. II a
child is born in adverse circumstances
immediate birth registration makes it
possible to impart promptly to the family
of that child knowledge of hygiene and
sanitation which will protect its health.
The sooner society knows of the arrival
Of new member the sooner it can guard
that baby against infantile blindness and
the numerous diseases which carry off SO
many babies in their first year. or leave
them manned or deformed so that they
a N bacorpa efficient social fc