South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-29
New Building Increases Opportunity of Chi1dren's
Dispensary; Powerful Agent For Americanization

Americanization OF the foreign
element in the city during the past
few ear has been due. probably
more 20 the work OF the Children's
dispensary than any other organiza-
ton Of the city. Nurses have been
working in the western section of
the city for the past 10 years en-
deavoring 20 educate the parents in
the proper IRE and feeding OF in
fants and Incidentally along intel
Iectual lines until the -dispensary.
from which they have been work.
ing. has been found inadequate 70
handle the volume Of work that
they nave built up.
Due TO this fact directors OF the
Federation OF Social Service held a
special session In January Of this
year and decided on a new building
for the dispensary. Plans were car
ried out and June % the proposed
building was completed at 1888 W.
Division St. and of7cial opening an
nounted for June 2S, when officials
and others interested made a sur
vey Of the institution.
Open Branch Station.
officials believing this work
which is given gratuitOus TO all who
need IL. should be extended over the
entire city. have found il necessary
70 open a branch station in the
Coquillard school. which will be in
operation BY July /. This branch
will be operated under the manage
ment Of the home on w. Division
ST.. for the benefit Of people OF the
east side who need aid in properly
caring for their children, concern
ing proper feeding and care.
Directors OF the Associated Chart
ties proposed a Children's dispen-
sary at a regular meeting in June.
1909, and as a result DR.. John b
Berteling was chosen president of
the organization. a store building
Of one room was rented on Chaplin
ST. and opened for service on July
J.. 1909. Through the courtesy of
the Visiting Nurses association two
nurses were detailed 10 canvas the
western section Of the city. TO as
certain what care was needed for
infants Patients we're taken to the
little Offices and as a result many
aabes were saved from not only
death from starvation but from
want Of proper care.
obtain Larger Quarters.
The work continued until 1915.
when it was deemed advisable 10
locate IN larger quarters TO care for
the patients. The offices we're
changed from Chaplin 81. to 1881 w.
Division St, where they have OPP
rated unti the present time. Rec
ords show that 1900 cases have
been treated during the 10 years
the -dispensary has been in existence.
One woman of that section of the
city who has three children living
and one dead. said: Johnny died
when he was but six months old
ana IL looked like I would be unable
10 raise any children. He was but d
skeleton when he died. weighing
Jess than nine pounds. 7 was un-
able 10 get a doctor. although I
knew he was not growing as he
should, and was compelled 70 fight
for his life as best I could. This
was in the year 1908. Ny next
child was born in 1910. and. having
heard Of the Children's dispensary,
] took little Ethel there since she
was very weak and appeared TO be
following the same course Johnny
had taken.
Child Grows Normally.
with the kind help OF the nurses
az the offices I noticed her gaining
strength rapidly and within a few
months had grown 10 a normal
state. which was due largely to the
aid given her by the ~dispensary.
The nurses continued their work
after / left the home and came TO
the house each week where they
gave her medical aid and instruct
cd me as to her feeding. Today
she is a robust girl OF nine years
and without the aid Of the nurses I
>feeI certain she would have been
with her litue brother.
Il have raised three children
since Ethel's birth and all have
been patients OF the ~dispensary.
each one showing great improve
ment from their care.
The new home which consists of
Is rooms Is equipped with every
need for the patients. A neat lit
tie room in white is equipped with
an operating table and other neces-
sites which VIII be used 10 operate
on children when needed. Beds