Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-12-02

one OF the commendable efforts Of the
women who have entered upon new citi-
zenship is the urging Of Congress for
the enactment Of the Sheppard Towner
bill FOR the public protection Of mater
nifty and infancy and providing a method
of cooperation between the govern-
ment Of the United States and the several
States" The measure stands a better
chance Of passage to-day than 1t has
at any time since It was introduced two
years ago according to the Washington
Correspondent Of the Boston Transcript
1t is looked upon with favor by Presi-
dent-elect Harding. who 10 committed
to the creation Of a Department Of Pub
lie Welfare, and It has the active sup
port Of an increasing number Of senator's
and congressman. who are being aided by
many national organizations Of women.
DR.. Anna E. Rude. director Of the divi-
sion Of hygiene of the Department of
Labor. says that THE United States is
wasting the lives Of mothers and babies
In 1918 some 1900 mothers died in child
birth and nearly 10000 babies died under
one year Of age Most Of these deaths
are preventAble. The Sheppard Towner
bill authorizes appropriations. which.
beginning modestiy, are TO be increased
to an annual total Of 100000 to be d.
vided among the States on the condi-
ton that the States themselves meet
with an equal amount the quota to be
allotted to them for the purpose Of tho
bill.
A Federal board Of maternal and infant
hygiene is created. to consist Of the sur
geon general Of the Public Health serv-
ice. the commissioner Of the Bureau Of
the chief Of the Children's
Bureau and the Secretary Of Labor
State boards also are to be organized
to cooperate with the Federal board.
The plans to be devised include "provi-
sions for administration. instructions in
hygiene Of maternity and infancy
through public health nurses, consulta-
ton centres. and medical and nursing
care for mothers and infants at home
or at a hospital when necessary, es-
pecially in remote areas state uni
and other educational institu-
tions for extension courses on the hy-
giene OF maternity and infancy and re-
lated subjects are to be brought into
the movement
DR.. Rude says that during the last
twenty years. "the typhoid rate has been
cut in half. the tuberculosis rate re-
reduced and the diptheria rate
reduced more than one-half. But there
has been no decrease In maternal deaths.
About one-half Of all infant deaths occur
within six weeks Of birth, and these
early deaths are due chiefly to the con-
dition of the mother and the lack Of
proper care and instruction for the
mother. Mothers do not yet have the
skilled care and advice they need. The
protection Of the child must begin with
the protection Of the mother. 1t must DO
made available for all mothers through
such agencies as prenatal clinics, mater
nifty hospitals. maternity care in the
home. children's health centres. and
systems Of public health nursing ade-
quate to reach ever mother and child"
Mrs. Fred Schoff Of Philadelphia,
speaking for the National Congress Of
Mothers, the National Council Of Wom-
en- and the Parent-Teacher Association,
takes a similar view. Miss Julia Lathrop,
chief of the Children's Bureau. is one
of the pioneers in the movement She
deplores the high infant mortality dis
closed by the census figures indicating
that the United States. In this regard,
Is less enlightened than are many otner
low income and ignorance" she says,
ARE among the chief Accomplishments
OF the high infant mortality in the United
States" She believes that the Sheppard
Towner bill will reduce these accom-
paniments," or causes, to a minimum.
DR.. Rude believes that the establish
ment and maintenance Of county nurs-
ing units will be one of the most i'm
portant steps in meeting the problem.
Chicago, asserts that instead Of lead
ing in provisions for maternal and child
care. the United States is far behind
most of the civilized countries OF the
world. "Only those Of us who actually
are in the habit Of facing the problem, /"
says DR.. J. Whitridge Williams, chief
obstetrician at Johns Hopkins Hospital
Baltimore, really have All idea az to
how very unsatisfactory the conditions
are in this country. 1t will interest you
to know that the best results obtained
in the world are in New leland and
Scandinavia. Here there has been com.
paratively little improvement during the
last fifty years. ! do not hesitate 10
say that the infant death rate In this
country is appalling. About per cent
Of all babies born in well-regulated
clinics are either born dead or die within
two weeks after birth" The appropria.
ton provided by the Sheppard Towner
bill, he says, however. will prove "a mere
drop in the bucket" It will simply form
nucleus for purposes OF education, In