The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-07

Better Babies Week started on
most auspiciously yesterday afternoon
at headquarters, in sydnor Humid
leys store, Seventh and Grace Streets,
when Mayor Ainslie. DR.. e. c. Levy
and DR.. W. A. Picker delivered en-
Pertaining and instructive talks Tor
the benefit OF the mothers and in the
interests of the babies.
A large section of the first floor
showroom of the company has been
cut off from other parts OF the great
store, surrounded by screens ana
hangluKs, and decorated beautifully
with cut flowers and growing plants
Exhibits from the Department OF
Health and by the Instructive Visit
ing Nurses Association. as we'll as by
the Mothers Clubs. are most interest
inEIy displayed They are presided
over by experts. who give out all
necessary information to those who
seek t.
Mrs. W. A. Burrows is general
chairman of the ladies committees.
and yesterday took great pride In dis
closing the splendid display to the
mothers who gathered by the hun
dred to hear the talks and witness the
displays.
The three speakers all agreed that
the children of Richmond were inn
proving in every way.
The City and State Health Depart
ments. aided by the mothers and the
nurses of the various organizations.
are doing a great deal to give the
baby scientific attention.
Mrs Burrows, in n few graceiui
words. introduced Mayor Ainsiie, who
started the wheels of the BABY
Week" going with enthusiasm. He
said il gave him real pleasure to have
such a movement come to head
during his time as executive head OF
the city.
started Two Years Ago.
This looks like the real thing"
saia Navor Ainslie. We are too
nrone to use our energies in fighting
windmilis. BY cooperating with the
Health Department the ladies OF the
various associations may brins the
health standard even higher than 1T
is now. They say this movement be-
can in Chicago two years ago. but 1t
also started In Richmond two years
ago. when many of you ladies remem-
Der there was a fine collection OF
Youngsters at the State Fair and a
number of valuable talks by eminent
doctors. Last year this movement
had grown. and now we find 1t going
along in a way which can but be or
great benefit This movement 10 for
educational purposes. 1t will show
the people what the Health Depart
ment has been doing. DIR. Levy does
much that he gets little credit for.
because he goes about II quietly. l
have suggested to him that he get
bass drum and let the people know
that he Is coming. and that he is doing
something for their good"
Death Rate lowered.
The Mayor then read from statistics
that the death rate of infants in
Richmond last year was far less than
that Of a few years ago. and that this
result had been reached through the
excellent work of the Health Depart
ment. aided by the nurses and the
mothers, who had studied the question
land had helped those Iho had been
less fortunate.
The mothers and the department
should cooperate In constructive
work. The most important thing in
community is the people. and the
people must unite in protecting and
saving themselves.
DR.. Levy said this movement would
produce great results 1t Is most i'm
portant. and he appreciates the ef-
forts Of the ladies of the Mothers
Clubs and the visiting nurses1 He
said he would Nike to see presenf those
! other mothers who were ignorant Of
the. things which the mothers present
proba bly, knew well. and he hoped
that as the sessions progressed the
mothers from every section of the city
would attend
Or. Levy explained the work o.