The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-02-10
PeobLe Events
By Celia Myro0er Robinson.

! numerous plans for 'rbaby week"
which. is to be held in many cities
during the month of March, under
the auspices of the General Fed
GRAFTON of Women's clubs, and in
fact the whole world is taking up
the conservation of the baby.
These campaigns, which have been
held in many cities, are the develop
ments of the profound and growing
interest in the welfare of babies.
Health authorities unite in saying
that public interest is now needed
to put into operation methods for
infant welfare, which are well ascer-
tanned and tested. The observance
of baby week is an expedient for
securing attention to facts about the
needs of babies which are we'll known
by scientific authorities, and which
If popularized will greatly reduce the
loss of infant life throughout this
country. Hence are some facts pub
lished during the Chicago baby week:
During 1918, 1874 babies under
two years of age died in Chicago.
The health department estimates
that 80 per cent of these deaths were
preventable. Six thousand one hun
bred and fifty-five babies died who
might have grown UP into good citi-
zens.
"0ut Of every five deaths in the
United States last year, one was a
baby under one year old. Unenforced
birth registration makes comparative
statistics difficult. But one-quarter
of million babies under one year
died last year."
A feature of the Pittsburg baby
week was the presentation of appro-
pirate remnants, which were flown
from the homes where there were lit
tie ones under one year of age.
With each pennant went a leaf1et
giving simple instructions and hints
on the proper care of babies, particu-
larly during the summer months, and
this message:
"The city Of Pittsburg gives you
this flag to hang from your window
for week in honor of your baby.
The flags mean that all Pittsburg is
thinking and planning for the well
fare of thousands of babies"
Judging from the newspaper ar
ticles, New York, during baby week,
was given baby consciousness that
isn't likely to slumber again In a
hurry.
Publicity work was SO ably carried
on that thirty leading daily papers
and 200 smaller local and foreign pa
pers published special stories during
the week before and during the cam
paign.
It was estimated that the $50
papers devoted nearly $500 columns
of space to baby week. "Better ba-
bies, better mothers, better city,"
was the slogan, and this on posters,
large and small with a picture of
mother and baby, were displayed
everywhere on bilIboards, cars, and
in subway and elevated stations.
Many Illuminated signs were
shown, and window cards were dis
played In windows. twenty-five
thousand educational slips regarding
the proper clothing of babies in sum-
mer were inserted in packages con-
tanning infant wear. Slips on the
care of baby's bottles and nipples
were inserted in drug store pack
ages.
Tags on the care Of the baby's milk
were distributed by milk dealers
with every bottle. Slides were ex-
hibited between films in 800 motion
picture houses of the city.
The children throughout the coun-
try have become interested in baby
welfare, and have organized them
selves in ''Little Mothers Leagues"
and are readily learning how to care
for the babies-the most precious