Evening star., 1948-10-03

theory Of child care during the last
A years.
Originally written by Mrs. Max
West, q Minnesota mother Of five,
whose manuscript was checked by q
committee of pediatricians, the book
was issued primarily for mothers
in rural areas to help check the ap-
palling infant mortality rate which
prevailed during the early part of
this century. In 1914 the rate was
10 per cent. Today 1t is per cent.
and the Children's Bureau feels that
it would be false modesty not to
claim at least part of the credit for
the reduction.
Middle Of the Road.
Throughout Its numerous reN-
sions, Infant Care" has always
maintained a middle of the road"
theory. Even during the '20s, when
the discovery Of bacteria led to
rigid regime of sterilizing and re-
Spectful distances between mother
and child, the booklet held to its
original position that the child
tACCNko AAlotAASlA1lS dLlO plCllGy VI
And, according to Dorothy Brad
bury, assistant director of the Divi-
sion of Reports in the Publications
Section, they never went overheard
on the unbreakable schedule. A
study Of Infant Care" through the
years would seem to indicate that
pediatricians started out by sus-
pecting that baby knew what was
best, and ended up by deciding that
he did. The Children's Bureau,
which always advocated a modified
lf-demand" schedule, never had
to reverse itself on that, although
they have seen complete change
in nutrition practices.
Despite the phenomenal number
Of copies Of Infant Care" in clr-
culation, mothers still cry for it.
They simply cannot meet the de-
mand. The pamphlet Is given away
to those applying direct to the FSA,
while the superintendent Of docu-
ments charges IS cents per copy.
Five million copies have been sold.
Since Infant Care" like all
Government publications, Is not
copyrighted, no one knows definitely,
but it is said that the book has been
translated into % foreign languages.
The State Department made a spe-
cial translation for Latin American
countries, thoughtfully adapting in
structions to the particular country.
There guaVa juice was substituted
for orange juice.
A standing committee Of the Ma
tion's leading pediatricians passes
on every change incorporated into
the book. Manuscripts are often two
years in preparation. Mothers. how
ever. exercise certain informal
editorial jurisdiction. Whenever
any suggested course proves imprac-
tical We sure hear from the
mommas," says Miss Bradbury with
smile.
The overwhelming success Of In
fant Care" has come about through
a spontaneous, voluntary promotion
campaign which would make a rub-
Usher who has to appropriate S25,-
600 for an advertising budget weep
with Illustration.
Congressman Love 1t.
Among the books most vociferous
sponsors, for instance, are members
of Congress Each member has Q
monthly quota ranging from nine
to 500 copies 1t is the common
practice for a legislator to check
the birth notices in his home town
paper. then dispatch a copy of In
FAINT Care to the parents of the
new citizen and prospective voter.
often with note of congratulation.
Although it is far and away their
biggest seller, Infant Care" is only
one of what the Childrens Bureau
calls it big three" The two other
are Prenatal Care" and The Child
From One to Six" Guiding the
Adolescent," which first appeared in
1888. is very much In vogue at the
moment.
To close the gap in its advisory
service to the parents of the Nation,
the Children's Bureau has prepared
Your Child From Six to Twelve"
which is now at the Government
Printing Office and scheduled for
publication some time later this
year. DR.. Arnold Gesell, famed Yale
pediatrics expert, was one of the
advisers.
! The advantages Of the fabulous
success of Infant Care" are often
demonstrated to the personnel of
the Children's Bureau. There was,
for instance, the time when the
investigator from the Bureau of the
Budget came around. purse strings
clutched tight, and asked to be told
of the work of the bureau. They
started to explain to him about their
publications. beginning, naturally
enough, with a mention of Infant
Care"
"Oh, you don't need to tell me
about that said the sleuth, Il was
brought up on it,"