SAVING THE BABIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18198, 18 September 1922, Page 8

SAVING THE BABIES.

THE PLUNKET SYSTEM.

EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.

DR. TRUBY KING'S REPORT. [BZ TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL KErOnTER.] WELLTNGTOTT. Saturday. In tho report of the Health Department, Dr. Truby King has a lengthy statementon tho subject of child welfare. He states what has been dono in instructing midwives, and adds :— "One can scarcely overstate the safe* guard and boon it would be to mother and child if all tho midwivea, numbering between 1500 and 2000, registered and unregistered, to whom mothers .expectant ! and actual turn for guidance and help during the most momentous and critical I phases *of life, cuiild be depended on to give uniform authoritative advice and assistance. Wrong advice is no often ten- ; dered and the wrong thing so often dono that ho pains should be spared to heighten ; tho sense of responsibility and raise tho I standard of knowledge and proficiency j among all those licensed or authorised in [any way by. tho State.to undertake the^ special care of mother and child before" and after childbirth." Dr. King states that about 30.000 babies are born annually in New Zealand, and about 5 per cent, (or 1500) dio in tho first year. Of those who dio nearly 1000 succumb in the first month, the other 11 months contributing only about 500 deaths. The failing babies who come under the care of the medical profession, and those looked after by the Plnnket Society's nurses in tho Karitane hospitals and throughout the community, show clearly that lack of adequate knowledge aric"? training en the part of the mothers and on the p&rt of many of those on whom they rely for help and guidance, throughout pregnancy and at and after childbirth, are main cnt'ses of failure in the first few weeks. Where babies do badly there is almost always a history of serious but easily avoidable mistakes, and these are just as liable to occur among the educated and well-to-do as among the socalled poor and ignorant. The foundation of hope lies e|rerywhero in reliable systematic education, training, and help. Thero is everv ground for confidence that, with the further growth of knowledge on the part of mothers, nurses, and mid wives, the deaths of babies after tho first month of age will be brought down in New Zealand another third in tho near future, and that a much greater reduction will bo effecte,] in the inordinately hiirh death-rate in the firvt month. During tho course of the next five years, he adds, the infant mortility for" tho whole Dominion should show a further reduction from Che prasent total of about 1500 deaths per annum to only 1000. in other words, a fa"l from 5 per cent, to only 3 per cent, of the birth-rate.