Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-02-08

VTTASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 4.-Returns from
wv the physical examination of drafted men
show that % per cent were physically un-
fit, and the children's bureau has been able to
show that a large percentage Of this physical I'M
fitness directly due to diseases of childhood;
bad hearing defective eyesight even fat feet have
been declared by the child experts to be traceable
to the nursery. Then, too, 100000 babies Gle
annually in this country, although health authori-
ties agree that one-half of these deaths are pre-
ventable. Here is a national waste that strikes at
the root of our power
Beginning April 6, a nationwide campaign to
improve the health of American babies will be
started by the chiidrens bureau and the woman's
committee of the Council of National Defense. I'm
der the direction of DR.. Jessica PeixOtto, of the
University of California, who is on leave Of absence
from the university for the purpose OF taking
charge of this work, the women of every state will
be organized into child welfare committees dedi-
Gated to the conservation of infants.
The wholesale weighing of babies will be the
first step in this campaign, and in this the CO.
operation of parents is requested. A survey must
be made of our infant resources such as was re-
Gently undertaken by the department of agricui-
ture in regard to food. For like food, our infant
resources may also be rated in pounds. Weight,
in other words, is definite index to ch1lds
health.
If an infant a year old, for example, is far be-
low the normal weight of his age, he is usually
badly in need of the services of doctor. The chill
dren's bureau is preparing a baby card show
ing the normal weight of each age, which VIII De
distributed to parents all the country On and
after April physicians will cooperate with the
government by weighing babies and children under
five years old free of charge; infant welfare sta
tions maternity clinics, day nurseries will do the
same, and grocers, apothecaries and other mer-
chants owning large scales will also be asked to
oblige parents.
Parents who find that their children are under
weight should Immediately procure medical advice.
Parents who fail to do this when they can afford 1t
guilty of criminal negligence in the opinion OF
the children's bureau and the woman's committee.
For those who poor, assistance will be provided
That is the chief purpose of the campaign.
The greatest need in combating infant mortality
is adequate supply of doctors and nurses, but
inasmuch as doctors and nurses are usually hard
working bread-winners and not ladies and gentle
men of leisure they must receive salaries. Hence,
funds must be raised Every community which has
any pride in reducing its infant mortality should
be able raise the necessary money to hire doctors
and nurses. In many small communities all that
will be needed is one visiting nurse with a salary
of 81 800; others will require many visiting
working under the direction of able physicians
The expense of such service will be borne in vari-
GUS ways-by state legislatures by improvement
clubs by chambers of commerce and by private sub
scriptions In the state of Illinois, the Elizabeth B.
Mccormick memorial fund for child welfare work
will be used to raise the standard of health of Ii
nois children.
In time of war however, when the demands
state and individuals already very great, the
expense of such children's campaign must be kept
at the very lowest margin Hence, the Woman's
committee will have to rely to great extent on
volunteer workers. meeting of public health
doctors and has just been called to consult
with the woman's committee and the children's
bureau on the question of raising a volunteer
corps of nurses assistants who will be known as
III H. VS." or Home Health Volunteers. These
volunteers will not be nurses, and never will be
nurses, unless they take regular nurses training