FOOD FOR BABIES

Northern Advocate, 27 October 1932, Page 8

FOOD FOR BABIES

ORGANISATION IN SYDNEY,

HEALTH OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

Mr. George Fitz Patrick, of Sydney, Who is on a A’isit to New Zealand to recruit his health, and as an honorary commission for the Government of New South Wales to inquire into the question of hospital administration, stated to a “Taranaki Herald” representatrve that after nearly 20 years of public service he had come to the conclusion that much of the public relief given bad been to the effect and not much to the cause. Up to the present he sa'id that much of the relief had been more like soothing ointment to a malignant growth instead

of the excision of the trouble. The hoard of the Food for Babies and the Dahvood Health Home, of Avhich ho was the chairman, aimed to not only cure, but to prevent illness.

Mr. Fitz Patrick said that over 2d,000 bottles of milk had been distributed by the fund last year, because it Avas hold that if the mother got sufficient milk for her children there was loss likelihood of illness. The fund also gave special sendee to the community in the Avay of preventing mothers from Avorrying. Mothers requiring State aid, widow’s pension or child endoAvment, Avere assisted gratuitously, for to such Avomen officialdom Avas generally a very real terror. The fund also co-ordinated charitable relief as far as Avas Avithin its oavh pundcAV. Such mental help, he said, Avas as much appreciated at the time as any physical help that could be given. Making Children Healthy, The Dalwood Homo, Avhich Mr. FitzPatriek described as the “Home of Health on Happiness Hill near Manly,” AA r as unique in that it took without payment mothers Avith children avlio Avere in need of care. That meant that, if necessary, a mother could go to the home Avith her baby, or seA'eral children, and receive expert attention. No other activity provided such as* sistance.

For mothers who had to bo surgically or medically treated in other hospitals the homo was also a groat boon, lor the mother could rest assured that her children Avonld not be left nncared for in her absence; she could send them to the Dalwood Homo and join them there upon her discharge from hospital.

Wonderful results had boon achieved at the home with children who were suffering from malnutrition, continued iVIr. Fitzpatrick. They were treated with oranges- and milk and were soon sufficiently built up physically to be able to withstand considerable illbalanced rations upon return to their homes. Lady Game, wife of the Governor of New South Wales, and patron of the home, had dogmatised to the extent of saying that the average healthy child was a good child, and there was no doubt that*the children at Dal wood were both healthy and happy.

“ft is .recognised that the criminal classes are recruited from the ranks of the ill-nourished and badly conditioned boys and girls,” concluded Mr. Fitzpatrick. “A healthy body often means a healthy brain, and the attention that is being given to children’s bodies is turning them into valuable members of the community, ft has been well said that *a nation marches to greatness on the feet of its little children.’ ”