The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-05-04
Maternity
Death Rate
High in Z. S.

BuNEA Service
NEW YORK, May 4.-The OBJ
eerVance Of Mothers day will as
sumo new and vital significance
this year.
If the efforts Of a group Of health
authorities and welfare organiza-
tons are successful, May 10 not
only will bring the usual sentiment
tai expressions Of reverence for in
dividual motherhood, but will
launch the movement by which the
lives Of 10000 mothers may be
saved every year.
There is no desire to minimize
the traditional spirit and purpose
OF Mothers day, which has been an
occasion for national observance
since congress created it in 1914. say
those who are identified with the
new movement.
Would Give Practical Aid
But they do seek to instill prac-
teal purpose by calling attention to
the fact that the 5000 deaths Of
mothers in childbirth year in the
United States, 10000 are unneces-
sary.
May 10 will not be Mothers day
for everybody If statistics hold
true, at least forty-thre babies will
be born during that twenty-four
hours who never will know what II
is to have a mother.
And if the same statistics are re-
liable. the deaths Of more than
twenty-eight Of the mothers OF
those babies are preventable.
Americas death rate from child
birth is the highest in the civilized
world. II is 6.5 for each 1000 1--we
births. In England it is only Al
in Denmark, 81, and IN the NeCn-
erlands. where mothers are gwen
the best protection, 90.
Club Takes Up Work
Il was the realization Of such
conditions that brought action
from the Women's City Club OF
New York in 1917. It's members
slso learned that although during
the preceding decade typhoid fever
practically had been eliminated,
and tuberculosis had been reduced
from first TO second place IN the
list Of causes Of death, 1ataIlOleS
If mothers in childbirth showed no
reduction whatever.
Obstetricians advised that ade-
ouate maternity care could prevent
a large number Of these deaths, SO
a maternity center was opened
financed by the Women's City Cup.
In 1913 g, group Of women met
with a number Of prominent oocCorS
and Organized a Maternity Center
Association. It was predicted then
that the deaths Of mothers N
childbirth would be reduced by 90
Der cent, and of infants under one
month by 40 per cent.
This is how nearly the predlc-
ton came true; Among ATS
mothers cared for by the asSocla-
tion. deaths we're reduced to ~
ner 600 live births, as compared
with 81 among mothers IN tne
same districts not under the care
Of the association.
Deaths OF babies less than
month old we're reduced to 81
ner 600 in the special group,
while they were 429 in the gen.
eral population.
MANY Rack Movement
ct have asked the mayor Of
every city, town and village in the
ITnitad States to set Mothers day
apart as a time to consider steps
for better maternity care to save
the lives of mothers" SAID MIS-
John sloane, president OF the Ma
+ernitv Center Association.
and what a response came BACK!
practically ell agreed that there IS
no better way to observe the occa-
sion" ~.
Sloane declared, were following
the lead Of Surgeon-General Cum
ming of the United States Puphc
HesIth Service in edorsing the CAM
naign. and many women's clubs and
civic organizations have planned
special meetings to consider the
problem in it's relation to their local
conditions.
perhaps one Of the chief reasons
our death rate is so high IS the pre-
occupation Of the average American
business man, she continued. He
may give his wife almost every
thing, yet the matter Of maternity
he continues to regard as primarily
her responsibility.
ct is a distinct shock to the aver
age American husband to learn that
his wife is in more danger, IN
motherhood, than woman OF any
other country, and that she faces
greater danger than a soldier IN
Sxray-fiY11a