THE PLUNKET SOCIETY.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14540, 18 October 1917, Page 3

THE PLUNKET SOCIETY.

The objects of tho Royal Now Zc: v land,. Society for the Health of AVomon and Children (tlio Plunket Society), under the auspices of Avhicii a 'Dommiou Baby Week will commence on the 28th inst.,. arc as follows:—

1. To uphold the .-sacredness ol' tin, body and the duty of health; to inc-iu-t-ate. a lofty view of the re«ponsil.iiljtie.s of. maternity and the duty of every mother to fit herself for the periec'i. fultilment of tho natural calls of motherhood, both before and niiei childbirth, and especially to advocate and promote the breast-feeding of , fants. To acquire ..accurate'-information and knowledge on. matters affecting t; health of women and children, and i-., disseminate such knowledge through the agency of its members, nurses, anC others, by means of the natural hand-ing-on from one recipient or beneficiary to another, and the use of' sti.cn ay,i cies as periodical meetings at memiiers' houses or elsewhere, demonstrations, lectures, correspondence, newspaper! article*, panfpblets, books, etc. 3. To train specially, and to employ qualified nurses, to be called Piunkct nurses, whose- duty it will be to give sound, reliable instruction, advice, and assistance, gratis, to any member ot: the community desiring such services, on matters affecting the health and .well-being of Vioineu, especially during pregnancy and while nursing infants, and on matters affecting the health and well-being of their children ; and also to endeavour to cdnc;:to and help parents and others .hi a practical way in domestic hygiene in general—all tlieso things being done with a view to conserving the- health and strength of tho rising generation, and. rendering' both mother and offspring hardy, healthy, and resistive to disease.

. 4. To co-operate with any present or future organisations which are working for any of tlie foregoing or cognate objects1..

The society was started as a loix for mutual helpfulness and mutual education, with a full recognition of the fact that, so far as'-motherhood an babyhood were concerned, there was a^ much need for practical reform and "going to school" on the part of -

cultured and well-to-do as there v on the part of the so-called .'"poor and ignorant.' 5