PRESERVATION OF INFANTILE LIFF.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 63, 15 March 1906, Page 1

PRESERVATION OF INFANTILE LIFF.

Tho ioilcwing letter, which pxphmn itsell', is written to the Dunedir. " .Star " by thn Mayor of Huddersfield (Enj?.), who, it will be remembered. avas the. first municipal officer of the I'ront rank in the United Kingdom to direct public attention to the advantages of humanised milk for infants— Mayor's Rooms, H udders field, • " January 19, 1906.

Dear Sir, —First of all, let me say how greatly 1 appreciate your kindness in forAvarding to me full reports of Dr Trilby King's lectures, the "Evening Star's" editorials on the same subject, and the account of Mr Seddon opening the St. Helen's Home at Dunedin. 1 have read all with great pleasure and interest. It is a splendid advantage to have at the head of your affairs a man like your Premier ,and if I might be so bold I Avould tender to him, through you, my A^arm congratulations on his return to power. T*here is, moreover, a peculiar satisfaction in hearing from your colony in this fact, that your communication completes the circle of ray correspondence on this subject with all parts of the British Dominions Beyond the Seas. I have iioav had letters from every one of the daughter States of the Empire. This is to me a most gratifying indication that the question Avhich I have myself so much at heart is one that has in it that touch of Nature which makes the Avhole world kin.

That there has been a most encouraging result, so far as my oavii personal scheme is concerned, is iioav beyond question. The statistical result in the district specially affected is shown in the health returns for the twelve months during which the scheme Avas in operation. The average infantile mortality for ten years has been about 130 per thousand births, and during the past year this figure was reduced to less than, onehalf. This', however, hardly represents the full extent of the improvement, because there are included in the ordinary statistical returns babies Avho never had my promisory notein some cases because they died practically at birth, and therefore never received the card, and in other cases the deaths occurred where the babies had been born before my offer came into effect. In regard to the babies that have had my card—ll2 in number—three have died so far during the fourteen months; there is one which removed from the district that I am not able to trace as yet; the others are all alive and well, and already 19 have received the promised birthday present. My cardinal principle has been that which I have called the Golden Rule for the life and health of the baby, "Feed Avitli the mothers milk." This is the great safeguard, and I am more strongly convinced than CA^er that this is the true solution of the difficulty. All the three babies that died Avere artificially fed; not one fed at the breast has died so far. The range of experience may be narroAv, but the conclusion is, I believe, sound. It has been altogether a pleasure to find that the mothers regard the matter in the most appreciative manner. There Avas a little difficulty at first, as the idea Avas such a novelty, but this seemed to disappear almost at once; «.nd, speaking generally, all the mothers are delighted Avith the interest shoAVii in their children. I find, too, that the '"sovereign babies" —as they are called—are looked upon, almost AA-ith envy by the other mothers. I may say 'that I have tried to show a continuous interest in the babies, and in various Avays I have reminded them that "the mayor" thought something of the children. At Easter I sent to each baby an Easter egf. Avith a little rattle, and at Christmas I send a threepenny piece Avith a hole, in, slung an a blue ribbon Avith a Christmas card. When the diarrhoea season began I" sent a letter of simple instructions lioav to avoid the disease, which here is so very fatal to children, audit was a satisfaction to be able to note that not one of the "sovereign babies " died of that complaint. At the onset of cold weather I sent a short note pointing out lioav helpless tho babies were to resist cold unless, they were Avell clothed. These little attentions are over and above the regular visits of the ladies, who have really done the Avork of the .whole scheme; but little as they are, I have always found the mothers in every Avay ' thoroughly to appreciate every effort for the good of their children. Noav that I am having the pleasure of presenting the birthday presents, I am able to judge from my OAvn personal observation lioav the mothers have recoived the help that has been proffered to them, and 1 can say, f without any exaggeration, that nothing could be more gratifying than the welcome that has invariably been given to me. I have received more personal pleasure from this effort than from any other Avork that I have ever attempted. Perhaps you avUI be interested to hear that tne movement is being someAvhat extended in the toAvn. The promissory note plan is being applied to tne poorest and most crowded part of the borough, the .funds being supplied by the generosity of a number of our leading townsmen. Further, tho method of trying, to help the mothers by the visits of helpful ladies is being applied (Avithont the promise of £1) to the whole of this town of 100,000 inhabitants. The organisation of committees of ladies sufficiently numerous to take the oversight of all the babies born in the town—nearly 2400 each year—has been carried out, and is just now being put into actual operation. Besides this, tlje dorppration have inserted in a Bill to be brought before Parliament in the ensuing session a clause making it compulsory in Huddersfield to notify births to the Health Office Avithin 48 hours. The urgency of this measure has been pressed upon my attention repeatedly, during the time I have been carrying out my own scheme. The main point is that it is essential for the mother to bo impressed Avith the necessity of feeding her child herself, and to be encouraged to have confidence in her oavu ability to rear the helpless Aveakling entrusted to her, that she may enter on her task Avith a hopeful and cheerful determination to succeed. Tho movement is extending, not only in our own.town, but it also appears to be impressing itself more deeply upon tho mind of the community generally. It is in contemplation to make an attempt to call together a national conference on the subject, and the great and wealthy Corporation of GlasgOAV seem inclined to take the lead in such a confere-nco. I would ask you to cenvey'iny most hearty greetings to those in your city who aro specially fcarr.ylng on this work. I Avish them well, and I trust that thfir efforts' may be most thoroughly successful. In particular may I "say that I Avish to congratulate you personally, as connected AA'ith the press, tbat you are taking your part in bringing about a healthy public opinion on this question, Avhich is vital in the truest sense of the. Avord, to tho prosperity of oup AA^hoie Empire, both here Avith us and there far oft' with you.—l am, eto., Benjamin Broadbent, Mayor of Huddersfield:

'■ ALWAYS keep the baby very clean ALWAYS bathe (or sponge all over) tho baby once a day in warm water.

ALWAYS let the baby sleep in r. 3radlfi or cot—a wicker bnskefc make: .\ good cot (or oven an empty pnekin^ rase). But novor let the baby sleep in tho sanio bed with its mother.

ALWAYS use fuller's earth to powIcr tho, baby, not starch or flour.

Al WAYS attend to the baby when it cries. Tho baby cries for one of three, reasons: (1) the baby is hungry, nr (2) the baby is uncomfortable, or .something hurts, or (3) the baby is ill.

WHAT NOT TO DO

NEVER give the baby soothing syrups, fevor powders, or any tiling of thai soi-t.

NEVER give tbe baby bread, or sops., or gravy, or any other food, except milk, till it is more than seven me r<tbs eld.

NEVER give the baby skimmed milk, or milk that is not perfectly fresh and good. NEVER use a feeding bottle with a long tube. Nobody can keep the inskla of tbe tube clean.

NEVER use a "comforter" or dummy toat: it is most injurious. NEVER carry the baby . " sitting no '" until it is five months old.

NEVER neglect to send for a doctor if the baby is ill. Babies are' soon overcome, and easily die.