The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1923-07-26
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GOLD AND PEWTER SPOONS

NOLD t4ND 1 II " , LII LJl OC4NS
A belief too long prevalent in some
sections Of the United States has been
shattered by the American Child
Health Association Of which Herbert
Hoover is president.
1t is the theory that the child Of
wealth, "born with gold spoon in its
mouth" arrives in the world with d
running start too great to be over
come by its poorer brother or sister
whose spoon ofttimes is of an inferior
quality of pewter. To 4 certain eX-
tent this belief bears some truth 1t is
certain that wealthy parents are bet
ter able to provide proper medical at
tention and care for THEN youngster,
and in the past babies born into the
households where money was scarce
have received only as much attention
as the limited income Of its parents
afforded But this is a maternal and
not a natural advantage and by no
means on insuperable 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 pro-
gram, and the eminent authorities di-
recting its policies feel that, with the
proper support, they can create a
condition which viii 90 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 VIII maintain
among other services to child health
advocates throughout the country a
central clearing house of useful and
sound information on child health
to any individual or local organization
wishing it. The Association likewise
will act as iaison for the various
community bodies, 50 that a system
of cooperation viii be instituted. Thus,
as the child health problems of one
section of the country 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 instruct
ed in prenatal health and how to care
for their infants after birth. In short,
all the ills Of childhood from the pre-
birth period to that of maturity will
be dealt with by the community or
CARNATIONS with the assistance of the
central office of the Association work
ing in closest relation to the govern
ment bureaus.
The Importance of the move can
not be disputed We are told on I'M
Improbable authority that 100000
children die in infancy each year in
the United States; that 100000 die
before birth and that 10000 mothers
SdCIlllCe IlSII liNeS DIT CilliuDiI III SeSll
twelve months. And these figures deal
with the United States, nation which
is regarded as a world leader. To
proceed with the astounding facts,
there are millions of children in the
schools of America with defects rang
ing from decayed teeth to malnutri-
40, o,J boc,+
Surely the task the American Child
Health Association has assuemd is
one worthy of the admiration and
support Of Americans who have the
future Of the nation at heart It is
an excellent opportunity for a real
patriotic servise.
Let all the spoons be gold.