New Britain herald., 1918-01-17
YEARS WORK AT
 THE MILK STATION
Annual Meeting Held at Home
 Of Mrs. Ira E. Hicks

Glowing reports of the work per- formed by the Milk Station assocla- ton were made at the annual meet ing yesterday afternoon at the nome of Mrs. Ira. E. Hicks on West Main street.
 The following officers were elected: President-Mrs. Ira E. Hicks. ! ice-President-Mrs. Herbert H. Pease.
 9ecretary-Mrs. Lawrence Mouat, Jr.
 Treasurer-Miss Mary S. Whittle- sey.
 Auditor-Miss Annie L. Copley. i Mrs. Hicks Report.
 The report of Mrs. Hicks follows Tn looking over the work and l growth of the Infant Welfare and l Milk Station asso citation of New Brit ain for the year 1917. the officers and 1 directors are most pleased and en- couraged. They feel that there is still l room for expansion and a large 1 growth in our city and by giving a , resume of our work, We trust a larger 1 interest will be taken in it by all ] New Britain citizens, as well as au awakening to the necessity of it just now in these perilous times, when all child life should be preserved and strengthened to the best of the city's 1 and nations ability.
 It is with deep regret that we record the death of Mrs. J. E. Mar ! tin for we feel that the association l has met with great loss. She was a charter member and had been sec retary from it's incipiency and so had taken a most sincere and devoted in terest in the growth and develop n1ent of the Infant Welfare work for 1 the past six years. She was most ef~ 1 ficient and was not content to let l things run along slowly but was eve" l inquirins and Investigating conditions ! in other cities to see what was best l for our work, and her love and de- l VOtiOn to the cause was a Stlm uluS to those working with her. and we | have lost a most faithful and loyal | worker whose place cannot easily be filled.
 With the resignation of Mrs. Davis
 nee Miss Elsie Osborn we lost a most | capable worker for with her interest | in the association she cO-Operated so
 successfully with the Charity Organi-
 zation and her contributions to the
 press brought our work more effec-
 lively to the attention of the public
 and Mrs Frank F. O'Brien gave of
 her time and advice to advantage to
 the supply committee.
 Our quarters in the Boys club were
 not mpleted until May so our work
 during the winter months of 1917
 was somewhat hindered at the sta.-
 ton and we were unable to work to
 advantage there, but Miss O'Dell
 worked most devotedly and efficiently
 in the homes and kept the mothers
 interested and ever mindful of the
 necessity of good care and proper
 feeding of their babies.
 The Infant Welfare and Milk Asso-
 citation work has developed along
 many lines, for having larger quar-
 ters and a baby room, through the
 summer, we kept sick babies at the
 station from one to ten days under
 the supervision of the nurses and we
 feel that many little lives were spared
 through this means, aside from the
 confidence inspired in the nurse by
 the mother. Due to the extreme cold we have not been able to heat the sta = ton the past three months to warrant our having babies under observation We regret this exceedingly for there have been many that have needed this care and attention.
 | Many mothers have sought out the
 Infant Welfare and Milk Station of
 their own volition and consulted the | nurse a S to their little ones and some days there have been as many as 10
 who have called simply for advice A
 baby is often brought in that is ill . and Miss O'Dell examines him or her
 and when a physician is needed she | advises the mother to take the infant
 to her physician. Tn many such eases
 Miss O'Dell is asked to call the doctor by telephone for the mother feels that a greater interest will be taken in the little one if the physician knows the nurse is interested in the case as well With the price of milk advancing
 we have had cases where mothers , 1 thought prepared foods or condensed milk would be cheaper and as good as
 milk for their little ones and decided to give Up the milk diet. However,
 contrary to Miss O'DelTs advice they have done it only to have the little ones become i'll and lose weight and it is only through an experience of this sort, she sees her mistake and
 is glad to again put her baby back on milk and although it may seem + higher health and proper food are
 cheaper.
 Many mothers having children from two years and upwards call at
 the station for diet lists which they
 are given and it shows they realize
 more and more the necessity of proper nourishment for growing children az well as infants.
 We have had many cases where , much anxiety and worry have been I alleviated in the causes of mothers ; who have to go to the hospital for ! illness or an operation as they can have the feelings for the baby pre- $ pared at the station while there and