MOTHERCRAFT SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20976, 12 September 1931, Page 16

MOTHERCRAFT SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. WORK OF EDUCATION. [FROM OUR OWN con RESPONDENT.] LONDON. August 7. The annual mooting of tho Mothercraft Training Society on Thursday afternoon was held in the new Princess Elizabeth Hostel, the fine new building opened at Highgate by tho Duchess of \ork in November last. There was a largo attendance of supporters in tho assembly hall.

Interest in tho work was extending to all parts of the world, stated Lady Galway, who presided. Nurses trained by tho society wero working in Kenya, Canada, India, Mongolia, South Africa, and in various other countries. All these nurses had a moral obligation to continue \ho work they had begun at Cromwell House. Lady Galway spoke of the increased interest that was being taken in tho welfare of the child. Another speaker was Dr. 11. C. Jewesbury. "Though tho work at Cromwell House was limited by space, their progress was marked by the springing up of branches in other parts of London and other parts of tho country," ho said. Dr. Jowesbury spoke of the progress at tho branches at Harrogate, Cheltenham, Chelsea. At St. Thomas' Hospital thore was a very large mothercraft department. Every medical student fortunately was obliged to spend at least three months at, the work. There >vero from 450 to 500 students, and they were showing very great interest and keenness, for they realised how useful a knowledge of mothercraft would bo to them in later life.

"In 1900 tho infantile mortality in this country for tho first year of life was 154 per 1000," said Dr. Jewesbury. "In 1930 it was 60 per 1000. In 30 years it had been reduced by more than 50 per cent.. There was no doubt this was due to the education of mothers, and it was that education of mothers that the society was trying to do. Obviously tho work could not bo carried on thoroughly unless it was properly housed, unless it was efficiently staffed, and thirdly, unless its management staff was also an efficient one. In all these respects the society was most fortunate."