The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-04-18

| The Birmingham Infant welfare asso-
citation was organized at mass meeting
of representative citizens held in the au-
ditorium OF the Chamber of Commerce in
September, 1913 The principal object of
this organization, which is in reality de-
partment of public health is the reduc-
ton of infant mortality. Judge John Fl.
Miller was elected president. and he is
still the head of the organization.
1t was not until July, 1914 that the as
ISOLATION began anything like an active
| campaign against the causes which were
known to be chiefly responsible for the
appalling death rate among the babies of
the poor. Some of these causes are i'm
proper feeding. impure milk, overcrowd-
ing and bad housing, irresponsible and in
different parenthood, ignorance and neg
lect of simple hygiene and care of in
, fants, and unskilled obstetric care.
The management of the association,
activities against these adverse influences
because of its desire to retain the serv-
ices of field nurse only after giving
careful consideration to the qualifica-
tons of each applicant for the position;
also because 1t wished to realize on all
collectable subsci<<tons before determine
ing the entire scope of the work to be
undertaken. 1t has always been the fixed
policy Of the association to attempt moth
ing beyond the possibilities of its ex-
chequer.
In the latter part Of July, 1914 the as
ISOLATION selected Miss House tMinne) as
4 . vie -f.-
with the assistance of this one nurse, the
association was able to conduct what it
believes to have been the cheapest but the
most remarkably telling and effective
work ever accomplished in this or any
other community. During this time SUIT
able care and protection was given to SO
eXpectant mothers. Many of the latter
were recently widowed or had been de-
serted by their husbands. These expect
ant mothers were taught to take care of
themselves, We're educated, drilled and
prepared for intelligent motherhood. The
obstetric services of the hospitals were
advised, and in most cases the associa-
ton furnished skilled obstetric services In
the homes. There were 1902 mothers given
specific and detailed instructions in all
matters relating to the care and feeding
of their babies. Dissemination of this
Kind of knowledge does much to over
come the ignorance and the superstitious
traditions which have proven so battling
to physicians and which have done so
much to cause sickness among the chill
dren of the lowly
Twelve public meetings for mothers
were held in different parts of the city
At these meetings were discussed such
subjects as the Importance of clean milk
and methods of preparing milk for babies
contagious disease of children, ventilation
and fresh air, the nursing mother, COM
mon mistakes in the care of infants, etc
1t is the purpose of the association TO
prevent sickness. 1t is not In keeping
with the policy of the association to fur
nish treatment or nursing to sick chill
dren. On the other hand, the visiting
nurse had definite instructions to refer to
the hospitals or to the dispensaries, all
cases of sickness encountered on her
rounds. Fifteen sick infants were sent
by the nurse to the childrens hospital.
Twenty eight sick children were referred
by her to the University dispensary A.
large number of sick~negro children and
few white children were sent to. the
Hillman hospital Until accommodations
at institutions could be secured, she fur
nished temporary nursing and treatment
Tor all the cases. Only one of the char
ity hospitals admit negro children conse-