SAVING THE BABIES

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 26

SAVING THE BABIES

PAPER BY DR TRUBY KING. LONDON, August 5. Many of the world’s eminent doctors are participating in the congress which is discussing the question of infantile mortality. The newspapers mention Dr Truby King's paper on New Zealand’s efforts to reduce infantile mortality, and they commend the example and lesson to the Motherland. Presiding at the Association for the Prevention of Infant Mortality, the Right Hon. John Burne said there were over many childless women mourning over cats and keeping company with dogs. They would be happier with other people’s children, and if, instead of wasting their money on overcoats, slippers, and bracelets for dogs, they would consult him, he would be pleased to provide them with human substitutes. August 6. At the Infant Mortality Congress Dr Barbara Sutherland, of Glasgow, speaking on the abuse of the maternity benefit under the Insurance Act, said that in numerous cases the husband spent the entire 30s in drink. Others anticipated the benefit and stopped work, or refused it when offered. In some instanoee the hus-

band used the money for payment of his betting transactions. Still others purchased gramophones, and frequently, when the money had been paid to the wife, the amount was afterwards deducted from her household expenses.

The Countess of Aberdeen said that it was necessary to teach Irish children in a hospital to like milk. They hardly knew the taste of it owing to the teapot being on the hearth too long. It was the contents of this that provided drink for children.