The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-26


 1S90 with Miss Jane Aadams in the work at Hull House. Chicago Her tact in- tclligence and ability have played an im- portant part in the public and private philanthropic activities of Illinois and in tre country wide movements for social adv ance The first annual report Of the bureau, issued in Marel, covers a sisnifi- cant investigation into infant mortality; cu-operation with won .n' s club and oth- CT organizations interested in the welfare of children preparatiol of child welfare exhibits, and the preparation for distri- button of publications dealing with birth registration, baby saving campaigns pre- nNtal care, and federal statistics of child ren.
 The importance of the infant mortality investigation Is shown by the startling estimate of the census bureau that about 3c0, GOO babies under one year of age lie each year of whom at least one-hnlf would be living had we, as Individuals and committees, applied those measures Of hygcne and sanitation which are known and available. Mss Lathrop points out that the conditions which destrop SO many of the younger nyes of the com munity must react unlavorably upon the health of the entire community and she quotes Sir Arthur NeY. sholme, the great English statistician. as saving infant mortality Is the most sensitive index we possess on social welfare"
 The Investigation. in v.ew of the meaeer staff and funds available. while limited to one small industriai city. Johnstown. Pa. But the methods were such as would be more extensively applied if the bureau were given the appropriation il seeks The study concerned the social, indust- lia and economic sIl.otndines of each family in which child WIS born. and by following the life Of tho child throueh hi4 first year AS long aa he survi e1. the ef- feet of these srotndinps wfre asrer tained. The inluiry wns absolutely demo. cratic, applying to evy~v fafnily rich or poor The tact and care with which it was carried out is shown In the fact that although the govern'n mt agents possess no authority to go into any home with. out the good will and assent of the mother, 1851 schedules were secured and there were but two reflyais The report of this first field Inquiry by the bureau is expected to appea9 in no near future
 The first publication cr tho bureau, on birth registration. wna prenared at tho request of the ~ennral fe lcrltion of wonen's clubs and WIS wisely used in the ysars cameaign toward securing foY this countrv such system of uniform birth stetistics as overv other civilized nation has long poseessed
 Baby saving campaigns. conducted or planned for the summer months by var iouH cities. have been greatly aided by the publication of q bulletin containing practical suggestions from 109 cities where such campaigns have been successfully carried out.
 The most remarkable public interest was shown in pamphlet on pre- ma ta cpre. which was prepared at the request of the national congress of mothers The latest rep ,rts of tho census bureau show that 49 PCT cent of babies dying under one year of age do not live even one month, and that 7-10 el these die as a reEult of prenatal conditions or of in- jury and accident at birt'l. No less than so.000 individual requests came to the bureau for this pamphlet. It's inesti. msble value Is indicated by such in- stnnces as that reported in letter re-