INFANT LIFE PROTECTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2849, 21 October 1908, Page 70

INFANT LIFE PROTECTION.

(Fbom Oub Own Cobbespondznt.) AUCKLAND, October 14. The efforts made in Auckland to introduce a better system of artificially rearing children, who, for various reasons, cannot Tb-a naturally, fed, are liaving good results. Some interesting remarks on the lead are proffered by Miss Jackson, district agent under the Infant Life Protection Act, in a letter to the District Health Officer. Mies Jackson writes : "I have only to say that I find that naturally the great source- of infant mortality is the substitute of patent foods and bottlefeeding for the food which Nature provides, and the substitution of the foster mother for the natural mother, with her instinct and sympathy for the child who is her own," Mrs Hutchinson, a lady of wide experience, whose work at the Door of Hope. is well known in Auckland* states that attention to details of cleanliness, and more especially the sterilising of feeding bottles, are important factors in preventing loss of infant life. She thinks that the sale of bottles with tubes should be prohibited. » ' Dr Puady is of opinion that a prohibitive tariff on these "death traps" should be imposed to prevent their introduction into the country. In reporting on the subject, he says: — "On two occasions I have visited the Opera House. Each evening I have eeen children in their mother's arms. No mother should take an infant to a crowded evening entertainment. When they sleep through it one rather suspects that some soothing syrup, other than the music, is acting as a soporific,"