Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 141, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 June 1920 — JOHN BULL PAYS FOR HEALTHY BABIES [ARTICLE]

JOHN BULL PAYS FOR HEALTHY BABIES

John Bull believes that healthy babies make strong men, and is willing to pay for them, according to reports recently received by “the Children’s Bureau of the U. S. Department of Labor. In 1918 grants made by the national government in support of infant welfare work in England and Wales amounted to about 11,50,000, which represents one-half of approved expenditure for welfare centers, “health visitors,” maternity care and similar work for mothers and children. The number of health centers increased from 850-in 1917, to 1,550 in June, 1919, over one-half of them supported entirely by public funds. Attendance at the centers has also shown a phenomenal increase. One center in Gloucester, which, in 1918, received 263 expectant mothers, had 932 on its rolls in 1919. As a result, it is thought, of pub-

lic protection of maternity and infancy, the infant mortality rate for England and Wales for 1918 is 94. There was no -increase over 1917 even under the adverse conditions of war and influenza.. The 1918 infant mortality rate for the U. S. birth registration area, just published, is 101, 7 points higher than the rate for the preceding year. Children’s Bureau investigations have shown that Uncle Sam’s babies die because they and their mothers do not have skilled can. Until such care is jnade available, as in England, for all women m all parts of the country, regardless of economic standing, no great decline in the infant mortality rate

Hall and daughter Rebecca went to Chicago this morning. Bertha Eldridge went to Indianapolis this afternoon for a visit with her brother, Emmett Eldndge and wife. Mrs. Paul Hanson, Misses Ethel Reed, Ruth Haynes, Edith Park, of Brook, went to Indianapolis from here today to attend a meeting of the Alpha Gama Delta alumni of DePauw university.