Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-06-10
INFANT HYGIENE
NURSE: ADDED To
HEALTH FORCES
Mrs. Mary Little Placed in
Charge of This important
Work for the Summer
Months in BernalillO Co.
BY DIR. o. C.. WEST
County Health OffiCcr)

Mrs. Mary Little has been placed
in charge of infant hygiene work
in BernalillO county for the sum-
mer months. The health depart
ment viii be giuC to receive re-
ports of cases Of sick infants VINO
have no medical attendant. The
local physicians are urged to CO.
operate with Mrs. Little in notify
ing her Of cases where she may
visit the family and show them
by bedside demonstration how TO
nurse and prepare food for their
babies. 1t is the intention of the
health department to assist fam
lilies in Interpreting and carrying
out the instructions OF their phys
ician. The results of the first
weeks work in this field shows
active need of this movement.
AS soon as q definite survey can
he completed, neighborhood con-
fcrences will be instituted where
mothers can attend and receive In
structions and watch actual DEM
constructions concerning the care OF
babies.
Mrs. Little requires no introduce
ton to the people of Albuquerque.
She is known in every home IN tn"
city; her wonderful results achleV-
ed as school nurse last session
should make her a welcome visitor
wherever she gUes.
Very few young mothers know
how to care for sick infant and
many cannot afford the services or
a trained nurse. The health de-
partnent is prepared and only too
glad to supply advice and litera-
ture pertaining to infant hygiene
and the methods and means TO
prevent infant sickness and
mortality during the coming hot
months.
Summer has been designated as
''tho purgatory of motherhood 1t
IS n most trying period for the
young and inexperienced mother.
OF all the babies born in the
United States from II to 20 out
OF every 100 die in the first year
of life and the majority OF these
deaths take place during the warm
months. Many children are so
frail at birth that the slightest
change in their environments or
the slightest fault in their feeding
will throw their weak systems on:
Of balance and cause their death.
Most children, however, are born
with healthy bodies and il cared
for properly will safely pass this
time of danger.
The chief cause OF sickness and
death IN infants is improper food.
r~T1 n 1nn0nt11
unfit for use is greatest in the
warm months because food is more
apt to he spoiled by heat. Further
more tho delicate machinery OF
the child's body may be deranged
nv heat and humidity and render
cd less able to resist the attacks OF
disease germs or the poisons con-
taircd IN spoiled foods.
The hest food for babies II
mothers milk. It Is the natural
food. The great bulk OF children
who die every summer are those
who have not been fed in this way.
No matter what may be said to the
contrary the child which IS fed eX-
clusiyely on mothers milk has the
hest chance to survive and grow.
This SHOWS the ltllDOitdIiCS VI II.
ing the baby as long as possible
during the first year Of life and
CARRYING the child past these dan
gerous seasons. WEAVING a child
in the summer time is fraught
with great danger and should
never be attempted except on the
advice and guidance of a compe-
tent physician.