Infant Welfare In U.S.

Northern Advocate, 8 March 1943, Page 2

Infant Welfare In U.S.

At the monthly luncheon of the N.Z. Women's Food Value League, Auckland. a member of the U.S.A. nursing service spoke on the public health services in her State. She gave a brief survey of the organisation. This service, which oovered a iwide area geographically, was financed privately. Besides dealing with the usual infectious and contagious diseases, such as measles and chickenpox. it dealt with maternity work, mental hygiene, care and prevention of tuberculosis, and with children’s health. Many of the nurses wore now on active service with the forces. The maternity services offered were particularly good. Public health nurses visited the pregnant mothers in their homes, paying special attention to diet and giving advice generally. They persuaded the mothers-tOrbe, to attend mothers’ classes. Compulsory Inoculations The nurses helped for six weeks [after birth and then mother and child went to a “child health conference,” [of which there 'were about 15 in the city area, so that mothers would not have to travel too far. A doctor and a pediatrician attended and baby was weighed and measured, and feeding or other problems were discussed by the nurses in attendance. Then the doctor prescribed any treatment or change in diet deemed necessary. Every six months the child ' was physically examined and compulsory inoculations for small pox and diphtheria were given early. Whooping cough inoculations, which were proving very satisfactory, were voluntary. The speaker said that they found New Zealand babies exceptionally fine and attractive. 1