THE AGONY OF ANTWERP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15930, 29 May 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE AGONY OF ANTWERP.

PROGRESS OF RELIEF' WORK. I; _ ~ , ',JT'' ' \■' -I" • ; . " Before the war about thirty-five out of 'every.; forty 1 women in Antwerp nursed thfir babies. Now it ' is ' possible for hardly, five out/ of forty to do so." ' In a poignant picture of the heartrending agony' of Antwerp,' supplied to the Commission ({for Relief in Belgium, the above: statement is just one of many, made in a report/ issued by an American .woman. • She is Dr, Caroline Jfcdgcr, who threw up an excellent practice in Chica. go to help' in relieving distress in Belgium.' \j . ' It is estimated by the commission,,that the enormous number of 2,500,000 people will' be entirely destitute; before August. Dr. Hedger pays.a warm tribute to the Belgians, who, threatened with starvation, oppressed by the invader, are "patiently "waiting,for a,better turn of affaire" .She says workers in tire kitchens state that th« people awaiting relief look much better than they did in December, when several men fainted from hunger every week.

The ration of soup and bread costs the city of Antwerp from about Id per day per person. At one'..plaice, much frequented by men, about twenty cubic inches of bread,is given. Tin's is about twice as largb as the average piece, which varies according to the supply. There are four varieties of soup—pea, bean, vegetable and bouillon. If pea soup is known to be served on a certain day the attendance is larger.

Antwerp's, self-control can be realised from the fact that one official preserves discipline among from 900 to 2700 people, and does not seem to be hard-worked.

The infant care is now carried on at three stations, and two more will soon be started. Women of means not only finance the feeding stations, but prepare the milk themselves. They furnish seven formulas on the orders of physicians who hold "baby consultations," and who are doing thorough and effective work. ■ i