Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1923-08-25

TN this final talk to mothers, the
i writer wishes to outline briefly how
the rural districts Of the State may
make collaborating safer for their wom-
en- and the rearing of larger number
Of healthy children possible.
It is realized that the giving OF ad-
vice is comparatively easy and that
the living conditions in rural COM
munties on more or less isolated
farms make It difficult for mothers
to take the best care eithaOof them
selves or of their children.
There is, however. in this field the
strongest natural human force to APP
peal to, namely, ma ternal instinct, which
when aroused and shown the way will
assist in improving the present situa-
ton.
Need IL Really Great.
THE need is really great. ! In 1921 in
i rural Maryland 1,S77 children died
under 1 year of age, that is more than
one in 10 live births and there were al
most an equal number of dead-born
babies, SO that the loss Of potential
human lives under II months Of age 10
about $500, or one in every five.
Again, during the same year 110
women died from some complication as
ISOLATED with. collaborating. In the
same age period, 20 to 40 years, 246
women died from tuberculosis, 81 from
heart disease, "a from pneumonia and
but IA from typhoid fever, SO that next
to tuberculosis, collaborating, which
can be made comparatively safe, ranks
as the most dangerous condition that
can happen to the women of the State
1t their most active period of life.
In the same year 1896 infectious
diseases were reported. This number
probably represents small proportion
Of those which actually occurred. When
we recall what sorrows and suffering
each death brings to the family and
friends, and that every death means 9
larger number Of patients who survived
similar illnesses, many Of them to con-
tinue for long, periods of i'll health, 1t
would seem to be the part of wisdom
: and economy to inquire II there is not
something more that can be done in
Maryland to conserve the lives and
health of the women and children.
Much More Can he Done.
FORTUNATELY we, know that much
i more can be DONE In many places
and in several countries this total of
sickness and death has been greatly re-
duced. and this has been accomplished
By methods which are easily available
In Maryland.
These tried methods in general are:
Widespread interest in and
information about all child health.
4 Secoud-Direct aid to mothers In
keeping themselves and their children
we'll.
The first method involves an apprecia-
ton Of the value OF health In general
and of well Children In particular In any
community, whether district, county,
village or town:
Men Must Help.
THE men who are interested In bet
i ter farms, in good schools and roads
must extend their support to improved
sanitation and better child care. Every
county in Maryland should have a
trained sanitarian giving his whole time
to improving the health Of the county.
A fair appraisement Of the expense now
borne by the county commissioners and
the public because of preventable un-
sanitary conditions, illness and death
would amount to large sum. Compe-
tent sanitary supervision OF COM
munity pays for itself many times over.
ANY community can have as low death
rate as it Is willing to pay for.
We believe, too, that the chivalry of
the men in Maryland can be appealed
to and when this is aroused they will