Imperial Valley press., 1913-12-01
Haskin Letters
Prevention of Infant Mortality


Study and Prevention of Infant Nor
tahty has just concluded its fourth an
nual meeting in Washington. The as
sociation was formed in November
1910, at the close of the first confer
ence on infant mortality ever held in
the United States. 1t owes its exist
ence primarily to the American Acad-
emy of Medicine, which called the first
conference held at Yale university
Since then it has grown rapidly in
numbers and influence. 1t has head
quarters at 1911 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 mortal
ity and awaken national interest in
reducing it. 1t furnishes active plans
for preventive. work which may be put
into effect uniformly throughout the
country. 1t acts as central clearing
house for the collection and dissem-
ination of information regarding in
FAINT mortality, and the work being
done to check it. 1t carries on gen.
eral propaganda through its head
quarters in Baltimore and is respon-
sible for special studies and investi-
cations presented by its standing COM
mittees. 1t provides travelling ex-
hibit upon infant mortality and con-
ditions affecting it, which can be sent
from one city to another upon request
or through arrangement with local
committee. 1t holds an annual meet
ing where the newest ideas on infant
mortality preventive work are intro
duced, and the discussions published
for distribution among those inter-
ested.
The membership consists of organ
izations and individuals. Much of the
strength of the association is due to
the number of affiliated organizations
cooperating with it. These include
departments of health in many cities,
medical organizations, women's clubs,
nurses organizations, infant welfare
societies, home economic organiza-
tions, and many others that are in
terested 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 AZ large cities in 27 different states.
1t is expected that this number will
be doubled in the coming year.
The subjects most closely related to
infant mortality and its prevention
discussed at the recent meeting in
clude birth registration, eugenics, the
parental care and instruction of ex-
pectant mothers, standards of train
ing for infant welfare nurses, public
school education for prevention of in
fant mortality, and the relation of
the plans for infant conservation to
the ideal Of general conservation.
The primal factor in the develop
ment of mortality preventive work is
securing reliable vital statistics. Birth
registration is the basis of determin-
ing the infant mortality rate, which
indicates the number or babies in each
thousand who die in their first year
of life. Lewis Merriam, the assistant
chief of the federal children's bureau
designates the infant mortality rate
as the clinical thermometer of the
modern health officer and sanitarian
Where adequate birth and death reg
istration exists the public health of.
ficer can watch the infant mortality
chart as the weather man watches the
thermometer. He can pick out the
areas of social storm or stress just
as the weather man picks out the loca
ton of atmospheric storms. The great
English statistician, Sir Arthur News
( holme, claims that the infant mortal
ity rate is the best index of socia
conditions. All lives are affected BY
bad social conditions so that increased
social pressure means an increased
death rate. The babies suffer frs
because they are the mercury in th'
national health thermometer. Theil
lives are so delicate that the slightes
increase in pressure is reflected i'm
mediately by sharp increase in thei
death rate.
Where vital records are kept, tn,
officer by glancing at the chart cal
tell where the need of preventive worl
is greatest. Knowing the number o
infants born in an area enables hin
TO decide when a death indicates ;
need of preventive measures to checl
the force of an epidemic. If chile
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