The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-24

iepsy III Alabama, he De1eVed tndL one
in every 700 of population would be ap-
lproximately correct. He cited COM
parative figures to show the neglect In
the state and ended with an eloquent
appeal for favorable action by which
the condition of the epileptic colony of
the state could be given more sub
stantial financial support.
Following the speech of DR.. McWhor-
ter r. NJ. Rutherford read a paper on
The Remedial Loan association" 1t
was extracts from the literature of
the foundation which he represents Mr.
Rutherford explaining before he began
that he had not been notified that he
would be expected to speak and there
| fore had not been prepared.
Miss knipp's Address
Following Mr.. Rutherfords paper the
session adjourned until 10 O'Clock.
Charles A. Brown, principle of the Cen
| trail High school, then introduced Miss
Gertrude B. Knipp, who spoke in part
| as follows:
| Babies had been more or less plenti-
full since time began, and there was a
well rooted conviction that the supply
would continues to be equal to the de-
mand. The realization of unnecessary
waste and of avoidable loss that erYs-
talized the more or less vague ideas In
regard to the conservation of material
assets into defniate plans OF eonser-
walton had its counterpart in the grad
ual waking up to the unnecessary and
appalling waite of baby lives
The first of the feeding confer
ences' or consultations for nurslings
as they were called was established in
lS92-only 21 years ago. But the con-
clusions that were reached as a result
of their establishment have influenced
and are influencing baby saving cam
paigns in every corner of the civilized
world
Il. Insistence on breast feeding.
90, Instruction of the mother in per-
sonal and baby hygiene.
"3. Competent medical and nursing
supervision during the first IL months
of the baby's life and longer If nee
essary
1T was very conclusively demonstrat-
ed at the Budin consultations that the
babies that were nursed by their moth
ers had a better chance not only of sur
vivng, but of escaping the digestive dis
orders that carried off so many of the
bottle-fed babies
"A conservative estimate of the total
loss of baby lives in the United States
every year puts the amount at 250,00O
, In some places where conditions are most
unfavorable one baby out of every four
lHdl is Doln ultS DelOTe II Is a year Olu,
in others, one out of five; in others one
in every six in others one in every
seven, and in others one in every eight
dies. The total figures are so over
whelming that we can hardly have any
conception of their meaning. We can
appreciate them better when we reduce
them to neighborhood terms. But don't
forget that one-half of this loss could be
prevented by the application of simple
| flaot
every community. And don't let us for
get. either, that part of the tremen-
dous total loss occurs here in Alabama,
and can only be reckoned with right on
the spot where 1t happens.
"A glance shows that the responsible
ity is much divided. Ignorant, indiffer-
ent or irresponsible parenthood comes
In for large part R the blame, but So
cial and sanitary conditions outside OF
the home and beyond the control of the
individual share the stigma
Through its various classes of mem
bers our own association is in touch
with baby-saving work that is being car
ried on in AZ cities representing 27 states
| can very consistently say our asso-
ciat tion, because the Birmingham Infant
mortality committee has been a part of
us from the beginning
"The association believes that every
baby should be materially nursed if pos
sible, and if that is impossible it believes
in the distribution of pure milk for the
babies for whom bottle feeding is a ne
cessity. The association believes further
in the establishment of feeding confer
ences to which mothers may bring their
babies at regular and frequent intervals
each consultation to be undor the charge
OF competent medical director and of
a nurse especially trained for this work
so that medical and nursing supervision
of the mother and child may be secured
during the first year of the baby's life
and longer If necessary. 1t believes in
the education of young mothers in all
matters relating to infant care: in the
regulation of the employment in fac
tories of expectant mothers or mothers
with young infants; In improved sani-
tation and housing: in the dissemination
of knowledge regarding infectious dis
eases; in the careful supervision of
general milk supply; in the instruction
of girls in the public schools and con-
tinuation classes in homemaking and the
care of infants and young children.
ut is big programme, but it is a
Lig problem and 1t can only be solved
nationally by being solved locally by
each city or town or country district
So far as Alabama has been concerned
a beginning has been made through
the work here. and | hope that the
local work is only the beginning of a
statewide campaign possibly as a sec
tion or a division of this State Socio-
LOGICAL congress-"
Following the paper of Miss Knipp.
Miss Julia c. Lathrop was introduced
and spoke in part as follows:
'Whatsis the place of the children's
bureau in the steadily advancing.
stream of legislation for social needs?
I think l cannot do better than to de-
scribe it from it's beginnings and then
to tell of its first work The chill
GreH's bureau is not an executive BODY.
it can neither make nor unmake in
stitutions, 1t cannot promulgate orders
nor revoke them. Its duty is as stated
in its organic law, to investigate and
report upon all matters pertaining to
the welfare of children and child life
among all classes of our people That
at once defines its status as the com
mon servant of all the states bu-
reau, like the bureau of plant Industry.
which shall gather Information regard
ing children, to be at the service of
every state, of every civic unit. of
every individual who may desire to util-
ize that information.
Last April the law creating this
Lureau went into effect and the bureau
itself began operations in WASHINGTON.