The Republican journal., 1914-07-09
Baby Week in New York.
II pledge to be baby's friend
And everybody tell,
Clean air. clean clothing and clean food,
He needs to keep him we'll"

anu private Scuool III tne CITY dS part VI
the exercises of B aby Week, seven day
educational and uplift campaign in honor
of the baby citizens. Beside lessons in
the proper care of babies, and exhibit
tons of what is being done to guard their
health, there were free boat rides, and
automobile rides for tired mothers-big
and little-and their small charges. and
baby contests with prizes for the most
perfectly developed children in New
York s five boroughs.
THE MAYORS LETTER.
In a circular letter addressed to the
children, and sent to be read in every
class room in the city, Mayor Mitchell
appealed to the children to help save the
lives of thousands OF babies needlessly
sacrificed every year. "More than Is, 900
babies under one year of age died in New
York City last year." this letter stated.
at is estimated that nearly half of them
would be alive today if they had receiv-
ed proper care, and if necessary precau-
tons had been taken during the summer
months. AS honorary president of the
organizations which will direct the edu-
cational and other activities Cf Baby
Week, ask every pupil of the schools of
this city to help in the work. AS future
citizens you can do much to help save the
lives of babies in this city,
COOPERATIVE WORK
Circulars giving the latest and most
practical methods for caring for the hit
tie ones were issued by the health de-
partment and distributed through the
schools, with request that the children
should take them home and bring them
10 the attention of their parents. Hun
dreds of Boy Scouts distributed posters
and placards bearing the slogan, Better
babies, better mothers, and so better
city," Campfire girls delivered tags to
milk dealers which were fastened to
milk bottles keep baby well by keep
ing milk clean, covered, cold.
Druggists placed Baby Week pastors
on every package sold. Department
stores had special sales in. infants sup
plies. In snort, no effort was spared to
reach every mother in the city with the
message of good health and good cheer
for the children.
INSPECTION WORK.
Every one of the city's ffty-five milk
stations, including those under the con-
troll of Nathan Strauss, were opened for
inspection, so We're the eight diet kitch
ems run by the city. On Hospital and
Clinic day, people interested were shown
what was being done to care for babies
and cure their ailments.
At least l,OOO,OO children got free
outing on Friday of Bapy Week. Sever
al ferry lines placed boats at the disposal
of the committee on Outing Day. There
was special music in the parks, and on
recreation piers, and every playground
kept open all day long.
RESULTS EXPECTED.
Great results are expected from this
cooperative campaign. Mr.. Laidlaw,
Executive Secretary of the New York
Federation of Churches, predicts that
this successful Baby Week, will cut the
infant mortality of July and August to
an unprecedentedly low rate, possibly
below 100 to the 1000. There being on
an average 1874, 900 babies a year born
within city limits.
EXPERT ADVICE.
One of the most valuable features of
the celebration was the dissemination of
news of the places where mothers could
receive expert advice and help gratis, if
their babies were ailing. Field nurses,
assigned to neighborhoods where their
services are most needed, visit the homes
and give sensible, expert advice, easily
understood and followed, securing the
services of competent physicians where
this is needed.
They emphasize the fact that the moth
er's condition is all important for the
health of the nursing infant, yet recog-
nize that where the mother is a wage
Garner, certain notifications of existing
rules for the child's care must be made.
Alternate feeding to relieve the moth
er, and prevent the necessity OF too early
weaving, is found to be safe and practl-
cal. 1t has been demonstrated that a
careful dilution of the best grade OF con-
densed milk, perfectly pure and steril-
lied food, is unusually successful as an
| alternate, with the normal feelings.
Eagle brand which is preferred by ex-
perts for chiIdren's use, is recommended
not only for the babies Of the tenements,
but for more fortunately placed children,
whenever alternate feeding is desirable,
as safe uniform food especially in trav-
cling and in places where certified milk
is difficult to procure.
FRESH AIR.
1t is found that the necessary fresh air
can be had on fire-escapes and roofs fol