The Washington times., 1914-07-10

Infant mortality Is q subject now
challenging the attention Of the en-
tire civilized world. This truth has
been recognized in Washington, and
the need for infant welfare work
realized by the Washington Diet
Kitchen Association.
AS far back as 1903 this society
established the first milk station
in this city. In looking over the an
nual reports, the first year It was re-
ported that the infant mortality OF
the southwest section, where the
milk station was situated, was de-
creased 20 per cent during the sum-
mer, which was a hot and exhaus-
tive one Later IN the year the Diet
Kitchen opened another station and
the infant mortality was decreased
one third.
In 1910 the report again showed
that the mortality among the babies
in these districts has been greatly
decreased, and Is now only per
cent" Encouraged by the success
OF these efforts. third milk station
was started in this northwest. which
the decrease OF infant mortality.
Saving the Baby.
In May, 1913. the Washington Diet
Kitchen Association established
headquarters at 1872 Twenty-eighth
street northwest. for the purpose Of
trying new methods not heretofore
in use in Washington. but general
ly recognized in the larger cities.
such as New York, Cleveland, and
Cincinnati. as being the most eff
fcient means Of saving the baby. The
most important was teaching the
home modification of milk. tried for
the first time in Washington.
A plan long under consideration
OF establishing a central station for
concentration Of our various activi-
ties has at last been realized.
A short sketch OF the association
will show its gradual tendency to-
ward this development. started in 1886
through the efforts of a single per-
son, and assisted later by others
1t was organized in 1901.
The funds being inadequate at that
time to meet any. administrator eN-
penses, this society co-operated with
the Instructive Visiting Nurse So
ciety, who distributed the broth.
milk and eggs to the sick poor.
Upon the recommendation OF the
Health Department. broth and
eggs were discontinued and milk
tious. Eggs were given in special
cases.
In 1908 this organization had grown
to more fully recognize the need or
milk for babies and established
milk station at Neighborhood House
being the first milk station IN
Washington. This proved or such
great benefit that a branch station
was added at Noel House. under the
same management. These two sta
lions were supported by us Tor sew
eral years. but. proving too great a
drain on their resources. they were
finally taken over by George NJ. oSs-
ter. jr.
Establishing Headquarters.
In the spring of 1912 third sta
ton was opened at ST. Marys
Chapel. This was made possible oy
the generosity OF friend. F1ndlns
this also, after a time, too expensive.
MIR oyster kindly added 1t to his
other stations in the autumn OF L9lS.
During these various experiences
II had become quite clear that the
Diet Kitchen must do Its own VOTE
through its specially appointed
agents, as It wished to carry out
some new methods which could not
be done through other channels.
The location Of the headquarters
was a matter of serious Importance
and before any decision was reachsd
many of the other charitable Or
CARNATIONS were consulted. enoihg
in the selection of West washington
as being the most appropriate ana
most in need II such work as we
PROPOSED to undertake. Securing 4
suitable Office, when was placed un-
der the charge of a graduate trained
nurse. baby conference was
opened from 8 n. m. unit! noon.
During these hours, the home modi-