The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-05-10

one OF the interesting events con-
nected with Field Day which was
held In this county on Saturday. April
ssth. was the Baby Contest, the com
petition among the future pupils OF
the schools OF the county. There were
twenty-seven eligible babies entered
In this contest. which was one OF the
most interesting which has ever been
held In the county. The results OF
the contest have been awaited with the
utmost interest and the announce
ments made by Miss Mary L. Frayser,
head OF the extension work In home
economics in South Carolina, of Win
throp College. under whose super
vision the contest was held with the
assistance OF a number OF Sumter and
Sumter county people, will prove
equally interesting to the parents and
relatives Of those babies entered In the
contest.
The announcement Is as follows:
Julia Myers Neyle. daughter of Mr..
and Mrs. A. +. Neyle. Sumter, s. c., r.
+. ID. No. 3. fortunate first baby in the
health contest held in Sumter, April
2stf.
Otis Andrews, son Of Mr.. and Mrs
+. w. Andrews, Oswego, s. c., stood
second In the health contest.
Little Miss Julia Neyle is, therefore,
the winner OF the beautiful gold med
nj offered by Mr.. E. w. Dabbs, presi-
dent OF the State Farmers Union, and
Master Otis Andrews captures the
silver medal offered, by Mrs. E. w.
pabbs to the second best baby speci-
men from the health standpoint.
The medals are on exhibition at
Foisom's Jewelry Store, Sumter, s. c.
They may be had upon application
by the parents OF the prize winners.
Better babies is the nations new
slogan. and the better baby move
ment Is based on the principles that
are employed to standardize products
oil farm and factory. The baby in the
home becomes the centre of interest,
care and pride just as would the lit
tie calf. or porker. the corn or cot
ton destined TO be entered for COM
puetition at the State Fair. All three
are prospective prize winners and are
cared for accordingly.
The judges in the Sumter baby con-
test were among the leading physi-
clans OF Sumter. The babies were
stripped and examined painstakingly
and scientifically by them. The looks
OF the babies were important only as
indications OF health. Mere pretti-
ness did not enter into the count. The
score cards were those gotten out by
the National Congress of Mothers.
When Mrs. Mary T. Watts and DR..
Margaret Clark OF Iowa conceived the
idea OF campaign for better babies.
which should not only build up the
babies OF Iowa. but OF the entire ma
tion. they found no standards by which
W INV '"" bI' tIdTk attended
Medical Conferences in the East and
In England. France and Germany.
Mrs. Watts studied the mothers and
babies Of Iowa and the score card
used In Iowa In 1911 Is the result.
This score card has been approved by
the American Medical Association.
The result OF the better baby con-
test In Iowa Of 1911 was that a lot of
Iowa farmers and city folks carried
home one vital thought. Iowa babies
were not up To the mark OF Iowa corn
and cattle-something had to he done.
III each year we raise better cattle,
better corn, better cotton, better
babies? This thought is the funda-
mental conception underlying the
contest In Sumter In which little Julia
Neyle and Otis Andrews have led
The babies who scored low did
so largely because of one or more Of
the four following causes:
1. Improper and irregular feeding.
2. Lack OF fresh air.
3. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
4. Imperfect teeth.
Since this movement Is meant To be
constructive. the mothers Of the babies
examined and other south Carolina
mothers az well. are urged to follow
the dietary suggestions given below
To have babies sleep out of doors by
day. In good weather. the year round
and with a supply of fresh air at night
also; to see TO II that each child
the head examination, has prompt