The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1923 INFANT MORTALITY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 74, 24 March 1923, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1923 INFANT MORTALITY.

A comprehensive report on infant mortality has been published by the Children's Bureau of Washington. The highest death rate is in Chile, where 306 of every thousand babies die in their first year—or nearly one out of every three. That was the figure in 1910; next came Hungary, 264 per 1000, Japan 184, Spain 183, and then, in spite of her boasted

efficiency and social measures, Germany, with a death rate of 145 per 1 1000. The mortality rates in other countries are: France 119, Scotland 102, Denmark 92, England and Wales 89, Ireland 88| the United States 87, Switzerland 82, the Netherlands 80, and Norway 64. "But when Americans cast their eyes in the direction of the Antipodes their complacency suffers a certain shock" says the World's Work. "Australia loses only 69 out of every thousand babies born, while New Zealand loses only 45. This last record is the marvel of the whole investigation. That natural conditions, especially the climate, are favourable, is probably true; but those do not explain the record, or explain it only in part. . ... The present favourable exhibit is the result of a conscientious effort of New Zealand to protect the young. And in this circumstancei lies the value of their experience to the United States." The writer proceeds to describe the work of the Plunket Society during the last 16 years—in which period the mortality has been reduced from 69 to 45—and says "it has unquestionably been the greatest single factor in this diminution." He also refers to the various Government measures for the protection and assistance of maternity, and concludes: "In a word New Zealand and its Government are engaging in a warfare somewhat more enlightened than that which has recently engaged the energies of mankind. It is determined to stamp out the causes, that bring about the death of babies, so far as human ingenuity can do so. The success with which it is meeting is perhaps the greatest lesson that this little- Dominion can teach the world at the present time. The United States— although it must be remembered that our record is not as bad as that of most countriesshould only too gladly sit at New Zealand's feet."