Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-03-21
MISS SUSAN c. FRANCIS
Caring for Sick and AiIIng Children

vi SSVIUO IOV oISN aUo ~u'U0 SUuo'o"
DHILADELPH1A is well abreast Of the
ahead Of most Of them in the matter Of the
care which is given to Its sick, undernour-
ished and ailing children, rs well as in q
general campaign Of education in these
matters carried ion alike among the children
and the parents, says Miss Susan =. trancls.
"Most children who require medical nj.
evidences Of I'm Wmalnutrition. This is largely
due to the lack Of knowledge on the part OF
the parents as TO the proper methods ot
feeding the child, and We are trying 10
remedy this state Of affairs by teachlhs tne
mothers the right way.
''The fact that at our own institution we
have about 1000 children month as dis.
pensary cases shows how widespread are
the conditions which create these cases. lie
Department for the Prevention OF Disease
keeps a careful and systematic tabulation OF
each case, the child being weighed, measured; !;
nut into the proper classification and looked
after generally.
Associated Medical Clinic
1.-The Associated Medical Clinic cares TOR
dependent and often neglected children. "
is different in some ways from the usual
hospital clinic. as the children rarely present
cases Of acute illness. The chief problems
nre those Of malnutrition, OF physica9 ae'
feCt0 OF the eye, cur, AOoCs tNO"Ss o.sHS WV
and the coses are often associated with men.
tal defects, or present serious problems OF
conduct or morals. A careful examination
IL made, both physical and mental. and spe.
cial attention Is paid to the eyes, lungs
nutrition and posture.
"The Department for the Prevention OF
Disease does the social service work Of the
institution, the follow up nursing Of both
ward and dispensary cases, and carries on
other activities especially directed toward
| the prevention Of disease and the promotion
| Of health. When it is necessary to give bed
care n to sick sh % er fni %ork e, ds %
! the development of good health habits in the
instruction for Mothers
"We have found that the individual in
! struction which the mothers receive In their
homes from the nurses has brought about the
| greatest results in the improved conditions OF
hSs as vel as eets tse Of home vss by
| we'll trained nurses have been remarkable in
the saving of infant life.
"In the Thirtieth Ward Of the city we
| haye been trying to make provision for the
care of expectant mothers. the supervision
of the children from the time Of their birth
and the education Of the citizens hs generally
and the prevention Of disease. A survey OF
| this territory shows that the Department for
the Prevention Of Disease must not con6ne
it's work simply to the sick children who come
to the hospital for treatment, rs many of the
children living in that neighborhood are very
| much in need Of the care and the advice
which the department Is prepared to give,
in order to prevent them from becoming
| sick.
1--WE plan that the department shall &C,
as a community center for the education OF
nnrents and children alike on all matters
pertaining to the health of children. The
infant mortality of the Thirtieth Ward IL
considerably higher than the average of the
city AZ whole, and we hope, through tn,
tenching of the cardinal principles Of healtl
TO the citizens, to be able to improve condi.
tions there materially.
Sewing Lessons for Mothers
1.-THE prenatal clinics which are nov
being held have taught mothers that q fol
lowing of the principles laid down ther,
means not only better babies. but also mucl
better health for themselves. We also civ,
sewing lessons of two hours duration.
"The keynote Of our work and the founda
ton upon which all the instruction Is base
IL a thorough physical examination OF tn,
children. The children who come to tn,
clinics are supposed to be we'll, but the ex.
Nminations show that nearly every child ha
some condition which. II not attended to q
once, Is likely later to develop into some
thing serious, il not an actual defect.
continuous record Is kept On de and th,
chiN u latp subjected 70 Q Es.sxsminadoI