Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-07-18
Govt Maternity Aid
Continued from Page One)

in maternity and child welfare work
that meets with the approval Of the
Federal authorities. Although the
final decision as to whether or not
the State accepts this Bill rests with
the State Legislature, it is provided
that il the Legislature IS not in ses-
sion the Governor temporarily may
accept the Bill on behalf Of the State,
until the next Legislature convenes.
IL thus becomes my duty to determine
what shall be done in Maine during
the period between July !, 1922 and
January 3, 1929, when the Legisla-
ture that meets on tie latter date will
render final decision.
Public Hearing
A public hearing on the Sheppard
Towner Bill was held in Augusta on
June 23rd last, at which time a large
number Of citizens were present and
expressed their views, some favor
ing and others opposing the Bill.
While 1T was the unanimous opinion
OF the Governor and Council and Of
all present at the hearing that ma
ternity and child welfare work is of
j
should be done within the State, there
was a difference of opinion as to how
and by whom it should be carried on.
All, however. the Governor and Coun-
Gil. as well as those for and those
against the Bill, We're in agreement
as to the benefits to be derived from
this work.
What Maine Is Now Do;n1
The mortality of infants and child
bearing mothers in Maine is higher
than it should be, and determined ef-
forts should be made to reduce it. It
however should be understood that
maternity and child welfare work is
now being done by the State under
the direction of the Health Depart
ment, and at the hearing DR.. Ken
dali, the Commissioner Of Health,
told OF the work that is being carried
on in the State. DR.. Kendall ex-
planned that his Department is max
ing a careful study Of local health
conditions that affect children, es-
pecially in reference to milk, waite.
and food supplies, and sanitary con-
ditions in the public schools; that
prenatal work is done under the
guidance Of the Department of Health
by doctors and public health nurses:
that frequent inspections of maternity
homes are made, and 1t is planned to
have midwives regularly licensed;
that helpful literature is sent to ex-
pectant mothers, as well as to every
home from which the record Of
birth is received; that special effort
is made to keep accurate vital statis-
tics. work OF great importance:
that better nursing in maternity
cases is encouraged. with marked i'm
provement resulting therefrom; that
baby-saving campaigns are inaugu-
rated in different communities; and
that in order to protect mothers and
children careful reports are made as
to all communicable diseases. All this
work is being done under the super
vision Of the State Department of
Health.
Public Health Nurses
The work of the Public Health. Red
Cross. District. Municipal and Indus
trial nurses under the direction of the
State Supervisor Of Nurses, Miss
Edith J.. Soule, is being carried on
more extensively than ever before.
and plans are under way to co-ordi-
nate this work and make it even
more effective than it is at present.
1t was intimated at the hearing that
Miss Soule's work had been inter-
rupted during the past year, but such
was not the case. Miss Soules salary
OF *2foo per year was paid jointly by
the Red Cross and Maine Public
Health Association, from January l.
1921 to July /, 1921: while from July
l. 1921 to January /, 1922. Miss
Soule's salary at the rate Of $1,000 per !
year was paid by the Maine Public |
Health Association. During the en- |
tire year of 1921, Miss Soule's ex-
penses were paid by the State. and |
beginning January /, 1922. the State
assumed payment in full Of Miss
soules salary # $4,000 per year and