Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-06-12
SAFEGUARD YOUR CHILD
Bv H. AddingtOn Bruce
~ ESPITE the splendid work of Children
Year infant mortality remains OF

~ ESPITE the splendid work of Children S
Year infant mortality remains one
of the most serious of national
problems. 1t would be difficult to overes-
innate it's seriousness.
In 1919 a quarter of a million babies died
in the United States from preVentable dis
eases, most of them before they were year
old Many more, needIessly stricken by dis
ease, survived to go through life crippled or
otherwise handica) ped.
Appreciation of the gravity Of the stu
alton thus created has led to the introduce
ton of a bill in congress to provide for the
establishing of Federal Board OF Maternity
and Infancy. Child conservation will be the
great object of this board, and it should
mean much to the future of the nation.
Whether it will mean much depends
chiefly, however, on the willingness of par
ents to avail themselves of it's chld-safe-
guarding facilities and to apply for them
selves the principles of efficient rearing Of
children. There must be Jealous parental
cooperation if the infant death rate is to be
appreciably reduced.
And up to the present, it must regretfully
be added, many parents give nothing like the
thought they should to the care of their chill
dren. In proof whereof is the appalling
death list of children perishing from such
causes as:
Failure to provide dgestble and nourish-
ing food-food really suited to children.
Neglect to take necessary precautions to
prevent food from spelling or becoming con-
taminated. Many mothers even lack knoWl-
dye of how to take proper care of milk in
the home.
Failure to dress children properly, espe-
cially during periods of extreme cold and
extreme heat.
Disregard of infants requirements in point
of sunlight and fresh air.
Lack of cleanliness in the home.
Neglect to summon medical aid at the first
sign of illness in children.
Poverty of course, makes it impossible,
next to impossible, for many parents to
care for their children properly. And the
problem of poverty is undoubtedly closely
linked with the problem of infant mortality.
But even very poor parents could accom-
plish much if they would only make study
of their childrens needs. Among the more
prosperous there is no excuse whatever for
neglect to learn and meet these needs.
If, then, you who read these lines happen
to have little child of your own, and if you
have to confess that you are rearing that
child in haphazard, hit-or-miss fashion.
begin to educate yourself without delay.
There are many excellent ch1ld-rearlng
handbooks available at little cost. You may
in fact, obtain helpful information at the cost
of not more than a postage stamp by writ
ing to your state board of health or by ad-
dressing the Children's Bureau at Washing
ton for a copy of its publication, Infant
Care
Talk to your doctor. Seek advice at the
nearest children's hospital Leave nothing
undone to broaden your knowledge as to the
safeguarding of your little one.' Especially
is this desirable at the present time, the eve
of the heated months of summer, so danger
Gus to every child.
(Copgright 1920, by the Associated News
papers.)