The Washington times., 1913-07-11
LITTLE WHITE ROOM
IS CENTER0F HEALTH
Mothers Carry Babies to Diet
Kitchen and Learn Secrets
of Disease Prevention.

About the middle of May there was
| opened in Twenty eighth street in
Georgetown. a first floor room which
had formerly been occupied as n store.
Neighborhood curiosity was rife regard
Ing the purpose of this new acquisition.
Everything in the tiny little room was
as white as paint could make II, and
much effort had been expended to make
the surroundings sweet and sanitary
as possible
Then. after it had been put in apple
pie order, and was as clean as a new
pin, white capped nurse made her ap-
pearance, and later a professional ap-
pearing man who looked like a physician.
When a neat sign announcing that this
littie room was the infant welfare sta
ton of the Washington Diet Kitchen
and the Visiting Nurses Association, the
secret of the little white room was out,
and In few days mothers began to
bring their babies to this clean. attrac-
tive place.
By June I there was a list of thirty
one babies on the roll of the clinic and
II the mothers of these babies have been
given directions for the care and feeding
or their little ones. together with pure
milk and fresh eggs when this has been
found necessary.
Is Preventive.
The work of this infant welfare sta
ton, the first of its kind in the District
OF Columbia, in its fight against infant
mortality is entirely preventive. When
a child is found ailing, II is brought to
this station and a diagnosis of its con-
dition Is made.
III II is found that the error lies in
the method in which il is being fed and
cared for. the mother is given instruc-
uon regarding its care. and is taught by
tne nurse in charge the method of modi-
i tG civ hA sv,f,a
II. however, the child is found to be
SUFFERING from something more serious.
II Is Immediately sent to a dispensary
or hospital, or the case is turned over
TO visiting nurse
To the mothers of the babies who are
brought to the station. the purest IIilk
IS sotd at the lowest price possible.
and when the mother is una BILE to pay
TOT the milk. 1t is given free.
sc, scenes about the station every dag
from 3 until u o'clock are decidedly
interesting. The quiet little street.
which is shaded by huge trees, and
through which there is so little traffic
that 1t reminds one of Pomander
Walk. suddenly becomes alive with
oaby carriages. go carts and mothers
with their babies in their arms.
Many Babies.
Some of the babies are poor little
weak specimens Of humanity, INSULT
clent feeding and incorrect care nav
ing ravaged the tiny frames and
brought pain and suffering where only
laughter and happiness should reign
But the majority of the children are
clean, bright, fat. and happy. because
through the efforts of those in charge
OF the Infant Welfare Station the
mothers have been instructed how to
best raise their babies, and save them
from the terrible dangers that threat
en- the lives of infants
Aside from the visiting nurses, tie
nurse in charge of the station, and
the three physicians who give their
services free of charge. those directly
interested in this new. station which is
doing such excellent work along pre-
ventive lines: include Miss Mary
Gwynn, president of the board of man
ayers of the Washington Diet Kitchen;
Miss. Adds, the vice president; Mrs.
William A. Hammond, secretary, and
Mrs. George +. Becker, treasurer
Tine work is entirely nonsectariar, and
Is supported By subscriptions. dona-
tions. and dues received from associate
members.