SAVING INFANT LIFE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 27 December 1924, Page 13

SAVING INFANT LIFE.

NEAV ZEALAND’S RECORD. COMMENT FROM SOUTH AFRICA. The wide difference between the infant mortality rates in South Africa and New 1 Zealand —80 and 40 per cent, respectively—-lias prompted Dr. J. J. Boyd, of Pretoria, to investigate the question whether the comparison that has been made between the health and welfare work m the two countries, witn unfavourable comments in the case oi bouth Africa, is at all justified. A paper lead by him on the subject berore the South African Medical Congress of 1924 is published in the South African Medical Record for J uly, the case of European infants alone being considered. Dr. Boyd doubts, states the Rpitish Medical Journal, whether the methods employed oy Dr. Truby Bang and his followers in New Zealand are of general applicability, and draws attention to certain fundamental factors in the problem of infant mortality which operate quite apart from any health or welfare work. Pointing out that a high birth rate is more apt to be accompanied by a. high infant mortality than is a low birth rate, he re-, marks that, whereas - the , average liiaropean birth rate in the South African Union for the period 1911-18 was 29.8, during this period in New Zealand ithe corresponding figure was 25.5, and in later years it was still lower. The social standing of the parents, connoting superior intelligence, a healthier environment, and greater care, has a definite influence on infant mortality, and it is pointed out that whereas in New Zealand the “poor white” is a comparatively rare person, in South Africa this class contributes very appreciably to the infant death rate. General climatic conditions, the . rural environment of the majority of the population, and the relatively more restricted use of native nurses are also said to be important factors in the favourable position of New Zealand. With the help of a detailed statistical report it is claimed to be proved that New Zealand at no time in its history has experienced such high infant mortality rates as those experienced in South Africa down to the end of the nineteenth century, and that in both countries since 1904 there has been an approximately equal fall of 50 per cent., which is largely attributable in both countries to other factors than the teaching of mothercraft. Moreover, figures are quoted to show that several South African towns have already attained infant mortality rates little, if at all, inferior to the average New Zealand town. FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED.

With no desire to minimise the good woyk of Dr. Truby King and the Plunket nurses, which commenced about 1908, Dr. Boyd suggests that the benefit can hardly have been generally appreciable before 1912. In the period 1871-75 the death rate in New Zealand was 107 per 1000; in 1883-92 it was 87; in 1893-1902, 82; in 1904-8, 71.45; and in 1909-12, 59.16. Other factors, such as housing and sanitation were obviously concerned, therefore, in the reduction, and it would appear hardly justifiable to claim that the Truby King system was the sole, or even the principal, factor to be considered. The author produces much statistical information' in support of his views, including reports from 93 small towns in South Africa, as well as from the more

densely populated area; he insists that without a proper foundation in the shape of good sanitation in the broadest sense, of the term a great deal of mothercraft teaching will be useless. The people will not be in a position to profit by it.” He does not deny that the Truby King system appears to be very successful and well worth.-'study, but urges that otliei- methods also require energetic application. WELFARE WORK IN NEW ZEALAND. In the South African Medical Record for September 27, Dr. A. Simpson Wells discusses Dr. Boyd’s statements, and points out that the active work in New Zealand on the lines laid, down by Dr. Truby King commenced officially in 1907, though activb propaganda had been in progress during the previous two years. The. fall in the New Zealand infantile death rate might, therefore, be definitely attributable to this welfare work. Dr. Wells gave a detailed account of the methods in New Zealand, and urges that these must be adopted in South Africa with necessary adaptations. ,