The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-04-05
CHILD WELFARE
FURTHERED|N
DISTRICT
Health and Education Of the
Mothers Also Promoted by
Big Society.
CONTINUED from Page I'D

Continued from Page III
the newspapers which speak OF the
work that is being done may DOTH
put the mother in an investigating
frame of mind Again, the IN
structive Visiting Nurse Society
co-operates with the Child Welfare
Society by reporting to 1t the births
coming under the supervision OF IT,
maternity service which are not IN
the hands Of q private physician.
After receiving such report
Child Welfare Society nurse visits
the mother and generally is able 10
convince her of the wisdom or let
ting her little one receive the 1uh
benefit Of the Child Welfare CONFER
ences.
Doctors, too, frequently serve az
agents in increasing the attendance
at the centers. as they know them
to be the places par excellence
where mothers can obtain educat1on
and medical direction. Moreover,
exhibitions are given from time 10
time in the theaters. churches ana
welfare centers which help to edu-
cate the mothers and make them
realize that to attend the confer.
ences is well worth their time ana
good to their babies.
when a mother first brings her
baby to the conferences the names
Of both are entered on the history
records. The baby is then I'M
dressed and weighed. His age in
weeks il marked on a record card
and his weight is recorded there
weekly. His gains are written in
black ink, while loss of weight Is
marked in red These red marks
are danger signals and their pres
ence on her baby's weight chart
quite naturally inspires the mother
to seek the cause Of the trouble and
makes her more careful and
thorough in following out the direc-
lions the doctor has given.
Careful Records Kept.
I'm the examination room the
medical attendant carefully records
the history OF both mother and baby.
Hederity Is full gone into, as are also
the particulars of the baby's birth,
such ais his condition and weight at
birth. the place of birth, and any
other factors which may influence
the later state of the child. The
baby is thoroughly examined and
special notice is taken Of any sign
Of malformation, ricketts,, or con
genital diseases. II the infant II
nursing properly full instructions
are given the mother as to the length
of time the baby should be at the
breast and az to the regularity OF
the feelings. She is also told OF the
necessity of giving the baby water
between musings, and of the amount
of sleep required. The mother IL
next advised concerning herself
The doctor impresses upon her the
need OF obtaining the best possible
food, the proper amount of exercise
and as much sleep az possible.
I'm the case OF babies that cannot
be nursed for some cause that is for
bidding, the doctor endeavors to
ascertain the milk formula on which
it can thrive best. The principles
followed are these: Whole milk ID
used and modified at home by the
mother with a certain amount OF
water or barley water, and one Of
the sugars, usually malt sugar
When the formula is worked out the
mother receives complete written
directions as to how to prepare the
milk. the total quantity for twenty
four hours TO be prepared by hei
each morning.
1.-The Child Welfare centers are in
situations originally intended for
well babies and children. This, OF
course, is a difficult matter to i'm.
press upon mothers, who often per.
sist in bringing their sick little ones
for treatment. Such cases are
recommended to some good hospital
ar IN the care of nriVate nhvaicia n
A large number of infants suffering
from nutritional disturbances are
cared for, and this is considered a
part of the object of the conferences
AS far as treatment Of these cases
is concerned dependence is mainly
placed upon dietetic measures"