Our Babies.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 28 July 1922, Page 1

Our Babies.

(By Hyg«ia)

HQW WAS IT DONE?

Our two latest articles have been derated to showing how, besides working earnestly in the city and suburbs, th« Christchurch Branch of the Society haa extended' - its -field of operations until it now covers a large portion of the North Qanterhury Province, 'and it aspires to further development. A similar rapid growth has taken place throughout practically the whole of New Zealand, and now branches of the Society and Pltmket Nurses are established throughout- the length- and breadth cf the land.

How was this brought about? Primarily by the devoted' work of a few earnest women who were able to foresee the benefit which must accrue if the women of the Dominion understood the laws of life and health a& ; pertaining to themselves and their-'children. These women banded themselves together to leam,-and then they preached their gospel, collected funds, provided specially-trained :i urs.es to - help those who asked.for advice,and assistance, and succeeded in convincing the legislatorsof the country that .tie work they were doing was good. . "\

What exactly had these'Avamen in view? "What, in fact, are the:aims and objects of the Society? '--*-.■ AIMS AND OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY.

1. To uphold the sacredness. of the body and the duty of health; to inculcate a lofty view of the' responsibilities of maternity and the duty of every mother to fit herself for the perfect fulfilment of the natural calls of motherhood, both before and after^childbirth, and especially to advocate and v .promote, the breast-weding of infants. 2. To acquire accurate information and acKnowfedge on matters affecting the health of women and children, and to disseminate such knowledge through the agency of its members, nurses, and others, by means of the natural handing on from one recipient or beneficiary to another, and the use of such agencies as periodical meetings at members' houses or elsewhere, demonstrations, lectures, correspondence, newspaper articles, pamphlets, books, etc.

3. To train specially, and to employ qualified nurses ,to be called Plunket nurses, whose duty it will be to give sound, reliable instruction, advice, and assistance, gratis, to any member of the community desiring such services, on matters affecting the health and well-being of women, especially during pregnacy and while nursing infants, and on matters affecting the health and well-being of their children; and also to endeavor to educate and help parents and others in a practical way in domestic hygiene in general—all these things being done with a view to conserving the health and strength of the rising generation, and rendering both mother and , offspring kardy, healthy, and resistive to disease. 4. To co-operate with any present or future organisations which are working for any of the foregoing or cognate objects. N.B. —The Society was started as a league for mutual helpfulness and mutual education, with a full recognition of the fact that, so far as motherhood ..and babyhood, were concerned, there was as much need for practical reform and "going to school" on the part of the. cultured and well-to-do as there was on the part of the so-called "poor and ignorant." THE CHIEF WORK OF THE SOCIETY. In the Christchurch report it says: —ln brief, what is the chief work of the Society ? It is to persuade and as- ( sist every mother to suckle her baby. ~~ FREE ADVICE AND HELP. You will observe that the services of the Plunket Nurses are free to all, rich and poor alike. Many people ask why no charge is made. * The answer is because the Society believes that education in all that makes for health in ftie home is of paramount importance, and should be free to all. Of course, thiti does not preclude those who have benefited by the help jriven from contributing to the funds of the -"Society, cither by becoming iucm-

bers or by giving a donation. Indeed, one cannot nelp wondering why every man and woman in the Dominion is not a member of this. Society, which is for the benefit of all, and most of all for the benefit of New Ze-aland. There is no doubt that all the branches of the Society would be greatly encouraged by having an increased membership; but the branches which have undertaken the establishment and maintenance of Karitane Baby Hospitals are specially in need of financial aid "at this time of comparative depression. Most of__the money required for the work is given voluntarily. The Government gives a substantial subsidy for each Phraket nu^se*..- employed, besides making special grants to the three Karitane Hospitals. Any of our readers who would liketo become members of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children could send- their subscriptions (mininmm ss) to "Hygein," care of the Dominion Newspaper, Wellington, with a note saying which branch they would like to join. The three branches which at present haveBaby Hospitals arc: Duncdin, Christchurch, and Wangaiuu.