The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1918-04-18
.DO IT FOR BABY"
Ruth Danenhauer Wilson of the Wig
ilantes Writes Fourth Article in
"Better Babies" Series.

When we see General Pershing's
casualty lists in the papers-so many
killed in action, so many dead of
wounds-we must stop and think who
is going to take the place of these
Americans. Is the population of this
great country going to be decreased
day by day, month by month, by these
constantly mounting lists?
Is there anything that can be done
about it? Yes, and it is we women in
the homes, we women who are tied
down with domestic duties who have the
power to do it. We can II go to France
or into munition factories, but we can
do patriotic work in our own homes.
How? Why, by reducing the death
rate of babies, by saving thousands of
lives of the coming generation to take
the place of those lost in battle.
The second year of the war, England
reduced the percentage of infant deaths
to less than it was before the war.
Surely we can do as well The Chill
dren s Bureau at Washington estimates
that every year there are 100000 pre-
ventable deaths of children under five
years of age. Think Of it. One humid
red thousand little children dead be-
cause of ignorant care or improper
food, or because the doctor WASH t
called in time, or because the mother
II vi II
remedy a well-meaning neighbor said
was good.
Our government recognizes that we
mothers need help in preventing these
unnecessary deaths. Just as through
the Department of Agriculture, Uncle
Sam is helping raise better crops and
stock, so through the Children IS De-
partment he is helping us bring up our
babies. Since it was established six
years ago the Children IS Bureau has
had plenty of time to study baby well
fare and bring together the results of
the best knowledge in the country.
All this scientific information is gath
cred at public expense and is freely at
States who cares to ask for it.
We mothers must recognize THAT the
mere fact of being mother does not
bring with it heaven sent knowledge of
how to bring up baby. We need to
be taught the proper care of our chill
dren. And our opportunities for such
instruction are extremely haphazard.
From the first prospect of mother
hood all the neighboring mothers and
old maids instruct us with conflicting
advice about the care Of a baby This
or that superstition is repeated, this or
that quack remedy recommended as
having done my baby world of good.
Isn't it relief to have from our
government sound advice based on the
observations of hundreds Of babies by
the best physicians? The bulletins of
The Children IS Bureau do not aim to
give advice that will replace physi-
clans care. But they do outline for
us the best proved way to care for and
feed a well baby, the home treatment
of ordinary ailments, and emergency
measures to be used before the doctor
arrives. They give proper diets for
different ages and tables showing
natural baby's development.
Do YOU know at what age the soft
spot at the top Of your baby's head
should begin to close?
Do you know what your baby should
weigh and measure every month";
Do YOU know what to do If your baby
should have a convulsion?
Do you know how to care for your
baby's eyese
Do you know the right way to pre-
pare vegetables for young ehildrenG
The lives of many future citizens can
be saved by the knowledge and practice
Of these and many other points on which
The Children IS Bureau gives advice.
Send a post card today to the Chief
of The Children IS Bureau, Washington,
D. c., and ask for Infant Care, Care of
Children Series No. 2, or, If you want
the care of very young babies ask
for Parental Care, Care of Children
Series No. ]. The government will
send these to you free without even
charge for postage.
To learn and follow Uncle Sam S di-
rectlons for caring for children is a
patriotic work. The strength of our
country depends on offsetting the toll
of bullets by saving the babies