The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1923-05-17
GOLD AND PEWTER SPOONS

"A oeleT too long prevalent IN
some sections of the United States
has been shattered by the Ameri-
can Child Health Association of
which Herbert Hoover is president.
It is the theory that the child Of
wealth. 'born with a gold spoon in
it's mouth" arrives in the world with
a running start too great to be over
come by its poorer brother or sis
ter whose spoon ofttimes is of an
inferior quality of pewter. To
certain extent this belief bears some
truth. 1t is certain that wealthy
parents are better able to provide
proper medical attention and care
for their youngster, and in the past
babies born into households where
money was scarce have received on
ly as much attention as. the limited
income of its parents afforded. But
that is a material and not natural
advantage and by no means an in
superable handicap for the poorer
baby, as the American Child Health
Association promises to prove.
This great organization, which is
formed by the amalgamation of the
American Child Hygiene Association
and the Child Health Organization
of America, has now announced its
program, and the eminent authorities
directing its policies feel that, with
the proper support, they can create
a condition which will go far toward
eradicating the line of demarcation
between the rich and the poor child
in so far as the safeguarding of
health during childhood is concerned.
The Association will maintain
among other services to child health
advocates throughout the country a
central clearing house Of useful and
sound information on child health.
This information will be available
to any individuals or local organi-
cations wishing it. The Association
likewise will act as liaison for the
various community bodies, so that
a system of cooperation will be in
stituted. Thus, as the child health
problems of one section of the coun-
try may be solved, the solution
therefor will be utilized by other
sections of the country, when the
same problems arise there.
School children will be instructed
in child health; mothers will be in
structed in prenatal health and how
to care for their infants after birth.
In short, ali the ills of childhood
from the pre-birth period to that
of maturity will be dealt with by the
|community organizations, with the
assistance of the central office of
the Association working in closest
relation to the government bureaus.
The Importance of this move can
not be disputed. We are told on un-
Iimpeachable authority that 100000
children die in infancy each year in
the United States; that 100000 die
before birth and that 10000 mothers
sacrifice their lives in childbirth
each twelve months. And these
figures deal with the United States,
nation which is regared as
world leader. To proceed with the
astounding facts, there are millions
of children in the schools OF Ameri-
ca with defects ranging from de-
cayed teeth to malnutrition and
heart disease.
Surely the task the American
Child Health Association has as
sumed is one worthy Of the ad-
miration and support of Americans
who have the future of the nation
at heart. 1t is an excellent oppor-
tunity for real patriotic service.
Let all the spoons be gold.