CARE OF INFANT LIFE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 69, 16 December 1918, Page 3

CARE OF INFANT LIFE

PLUNKET SYSTEM ADVOCATED FOR VICTORIA. At tho annual conference of the National Federation, held in September last, a resolution was passed urging the State Government to adopt the Plunket system of education in motherhood, nursing, and the saving of infant life. Recently a deputation representing the federation waited upon the Minister for Health (Mr. Bowser), and i.iaced th'eir views before him. The deputation wa9 introduced by Sir Alexander Peacock, M.L.A. Sister A. "Whitham said that since the New Zealand Government had adopted the Plumkot system the mortality in infant life in tho Dominion had decreased by 50 per cent. Dr. Truby King had initiated the system, which aimed at the establishment of hospitals for the training of nurses in the care of infants, and in the education of expectant mothers. So successful had been the system in New Zealand that Dr. King had been summoned by His Majesty the King to visit England- to confer with the authorities there regarding the care of infant life. Sisteir Whitham added that in Australia since 1914 36,000 children had died before reaching the age of one year. Mr. J. Hume Cook, secretary of the National Federation, stated that if tho Government decided to adopt the Plunket method, the various branches of the federation could be used as contres from ■which the work could radiate. Mr. Bowser replied that the suggestion of tho deputation was good. He would endeavour to arrange a conference betweon tho representatives of the National Federation, the clinics at present supervising the welfare of infants, and the Board of Health.- If as the result of the conference a satisfactory scheme was evolved which was likely to bo an improvement upon tho present system in vogue, the Government would he was suiro, give it every consideration.