The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1919-08-22
1919 BABY CROP WILL
BREAK ALL RECORDS
Survey of Conditions from 1877 Larg-
est Cities Show Startling
Results.

in the history of the country, accord
ing to the annual survey of the New
York milk committee, just completed.
This prediction is made in the fact
of a reduction of nearly 100 per cent
in the excess Of births over deaths
during 1913 as compared with 1917.
This was caused by an unprecedented
number of deaths approximating g.
100000 in part-due to the influenza
epidemic and war conditions.
Computations by the committee,
based upon figures obtained from
health officials in 1877 of the largest
American cities, reveal these facts:
That deaths in the United States
last year increased $4,000 over 1917.
This total is exclusive of the $4,000
soldiers who gave their lives on for
eign soil.
That 2,7O0,O0 births occurred in
1918, an increase of $4,000 over the
previous year.
That the natural national increase
in population is estimated at 45O, 900
compared with 100000 in 1917.
That the general infant mortality
rate, founded upon reports received
from cities comprising 26 per cent
of the population jumped from 97.5
per thousand births to 1O4.1.
Although estimates show that the
baby death rate for the country in
creased seven points the New York
milk committee believes that this fig
ure is remarkably low when all the
elements conspiring against him-war,
unrest, high cost of food and the in
fluenza epidemic-are carefully weigh
ed. The figures for 1918 reflect in
creased activity on behalf of the new
born and shows that the campaign Of
the federal government to conserve the
lives Of $1,000 infants during Amer
ica's second year of participation in
the war was not without its reward.
This movement, combined with pre-
natal care work carried on with in
creased zeal by sundry organizations,
particularly in the larger cities, shows
conclusively that the public's interest
in the welfare of the baby is growing
steadily.
The baby death rate in the city Of
New York, the most cosmopolitan
community, perhaps, in the world, was
kept low despite the high cost of food
stuffs. General wal conditions and
the influenza epidemic were chiefly
responsible for an increase of nearly
10000 deaths of all ages, the city's
dead for the year numbering 98,118.
The city's baby death rate was 90
per 1000, which is only three points
higher than that of the previous IL
months, when a record was establish
ed. Infant deaths in the metropolis
last year totaled 1861, compared with
1868 in 1917, an increase of only
80.
"This is another splendid record
for the country's greatest city," said
j. H. Larson, secretary of the COM
mittee, "and is but still further proof
that the chances of the newborn to
live in spite of congestion and COM
pick problems of life a be improved
UNNECESSARILY by the adoption of a
program of scientific prenatal care,
proper safeguarding of the milk sup
ply and the maintenance of milk sta
tions for the babies. New York city
is fast assuming it's rightful place as
the center of infant welfare work.
Through the efforts of it's health au-
thorities and private infant organiza-
lions associated in the work it is set
ting an example that other commun-
tiles can not help but follow.
1.-THE public is fast awakening to a
full realization of the value of infant
life, and Americas baby crop for this
year promises to be the largest in
its history. In New York city the
reports for the first six months show
a decrease of 500 baby deaths COM
pared with the same period in 1918
Similar reductions are being made in
many other cities.
"There are two main public health