The Washington times., 1915-07-12

the kitchen Is theoretically over.
The mothers are asked to tell Of
any illness the babies may have had,
any deviation from the schedule OF
diet. and other information that
may guide the doctor in his direc-
tons for the coming week. Before
they have thcir weekly consultations
with the physician their babies are
weighed. and the amount Is carefully
noted on cards kept for ready refer
ence.
There is always a great deal OF ox-
citement and rivalry among the
mothers when weighing time comes
Every ounce Of gain Is proudly pro-
claimed. while a loss of weight is an
empowering calamity. Some OF the
babies-usually the normal ones
take kindly TO the scales, and seem
to survey the result with intense
personal interest. OF course. there
are always few who howl Justify
when they are laid down and appear
to be taking 1t as a personal Erudge
when they are deserted by their
mothers for ever so short a time
Tests of New" Babies.
A most searching examina ton is
given new" babies. those whose
mothers have not before taken ad-
VI 'hc aoNiCe ana personal
interest offered each case by the
Diet Kitchen staff. These children
are weighed and measured, and the
heart, lungs, and spine carefully
tested In order that the subsequent
campaign for health may be planned
intelliEently.
The mothers are asked to describe
the condition of the child minutely,
giving its history and enumerating
any illnesses and their possible
cause. They are also required to
furnish q number OF facts concern
ing their personal health and their
occupations or those OF their hus-
bands.
It takes two trips to the Diet
Kitchen before baby is enrolled as
a regular pupil" 1t has been nee
essary to make this rule because II
often happens that baby Is brought
once and falls to return. so the work
OF compiling O record and mapping
out q diet schedule would be useless.
From the time that the child Is add
ed to the list. the nurse and doctor
together begin to keep detailed
record to be kept on Ale for refer
ence each week The nurse writes
her comments in red ink and the
doctor in black. so that 1t is easy
to tell them apart at a glance.
The Chief Obstacles.
One Of the workers explained that
the chief obstacle the diet kitchen
had to combat is lack Of cooperation
on the part of the mothers.
Often" she said. we cannot do
work where we are most needed
because the mothers refuse to Dc
helped"
Occasionally the mothers will not
give information asked by those in
charge At other times, the ira
ditiopal methods insisted upon ny
grandmothers and aunts at home
stand in the way. The mothers. when
advised sgainst these, may leave
Indignantly remarking that they
were raised that way and didn't see
why the same thing wouldn't do
for their babies. In one particular
instance, a young mother whose
child was much in need Of expert
control In outlining system of
diet. became angry when the nurse
pleaded with her not to start giving
the baby q rubber paciher when 1t
was reevish.
There are cases. too, when the
mothers incline to be Careless in fol-
lowing the diet schedule and refuse
TO admit 1t. All the physician and
nurse can do under such circum-
stances Is to reiterate the import
ance OF absolute adherence to d.
rections, particularly during the
summer months.
In addition to the individual d.
rections given each mother a chart