THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1914. A BENEFICENT WORK.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13486, 4 June 1914, Page 4

THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1914. A BENEFICENT WORK.

Wh are in receipt from the honorary secretary of a copy of the annual report of the Dunedin branch of the Society for the Health of Women and Children, which presents a record of good and useful work for the advancement of humanity in the direction indicated by the title of the society. The Dunedin branch is the parent one, and its report therefore includes a review of more than local activities. In its twentyseven pages, besides describing the work carried on at Dunedin during the year, and referring in less detail to the operations of the society in other parts of the Dominion, the report discusses at length the object for which the Society, was called into existence—to prosecute a form of social work the necessity for which is being increasingly recognised in every country, in the world. The extent to which the operations of .the Society have attracted public attention and sympathy in the Dominion is shown by its growth. Founded by Dr. Truby King at Dunedin seven years ago to "inculcate a lofty view of the responsibilities of maternity, and the duty of every mother to fit herself for the perfect fulfilment of -the natural calls of motherhood," there are now seventy branches throughout the Dominion, iri--cluding 'one at ' Nelson,' employing twenty-seven Plunket nurses, the great majority of these branches having been formed during the last couple of years. The Plunket nurses they support are trained in the best methods of feeding and of the care of infants, and are then provided for all classes free of any charge. They have nothing to do with the treatment of disease, which is at once referred to medical men. They teach the mothers how to estimate the requirements of their children at the very beginning of life, and to see that the requisite quantity of food is supplied. The report shows a very substantial increase in the number of visits paid and received by the nurses during the year. The Karitane Hospital in Dunedin, is conducted by the Society, and used as the training school forthenurs3s, fifth-year medical students, and for students in household science. During the year, 128 babies were under treatment there, an increased number of mothers have come into residence with their infants, and weekly demonstrations are held, the mothers attending being very appreciative of the teaching thus imparted. The work has now heen in progress at Dunedin for a sufficient length of time to enable a reliable estimate of its value to be formed. New Zealand enjoys a very loav infantile mortality rate in comparison with most other countries, there being only 51 deaths in the first year of life per 1000 births. In the city of Dunedin the rate has been reduced from an average of over 80 per 1000 births in 1907, to an average of 40 for 1911 and 1912, the latest statistics available. In the latter year the rate was 3S per 1000. Auckland shows a rate of 57 per 1000, Sydney of 72, and Hobart 77. As we have shown, the Dunedin rate a few years ago was even higher than these figures, the reduction having been brought about within the last few years. This result is not so much the claim of the Society for the Health of Women and Children, but rather is credited to it by independent and well qualified authorities. As an instance of this, we may quote the testimony of the Hon. Dr. Barrett, of Melbourne, who took a prominent part in the Australasian Medical Congress at Auckland this year, and, among other activities, made a specialty of inquiring into New Zealand's low infant death-rate, and especially the rate for Dunedin. After discussing and comparing various conditions and causes, climatical and sanitary, which might be put forward, he dismisses them as wholly insufficient to account for the fact that New Zealand's infant mortality rate is the lowest in the world. "What then is the explanation of-this phenomenon?" he asks, and answers: "The special and prac-^ tical education given by the Society for the Health of Women and Children, the object of which is the care of the infant before birth and during the period of infancy —really an attempt to rear a strong and healthy race by constructive, and not by restrictive, means. Not primarily to eliminate the unfit, but to prevent their production by aiding in the full development of j the healthy. The result, then, lias been achieved by the education of the people, by taking to the hoffle the scientific principles which underlie our earliest -existence." The expenses of the Society, which now amount to nearly £7000 a year, are defrayed by subscriptions, donations, and Government aid. In addition, "many members give their time, their money, and, best of all, themselves, to the cause for which the

Society exists." The work is one which may, be unreservedly commended'to the

interest and liberality of the community.